Drinks on United international flights
 

Are the drinks still free in coach on United's international flights?

Yes they are. UA and NW are the last 2 US based airlines that still offer free alcohol in coach on international flights. CO, AA, DL and US charge for drinks in coach.

We recently flew on Austrian Air and Lufthansa, which are in the Star Alliance with United. We had purchased the tickets through United. They both offered complimentary alcoholic beverages, which was a nice bonus I had not expected. A long flight over the water is made nicer with a glass or two of wine!

Isn't it sad that we are now "pleasantly surprised" that drinks are free on international flights?

aye, aye...hiccup! mo ipo.

Starting on January 5, 2005, all US airlines are charging for drinks across the Atlantic Ocean. I suggest a European carrier if you drink unless their price is $30 more than the US airline.

Just flew back from Costa Rica on United. The cost for alcoholic drinks was $5.

Author: wally34949
Date: 02/16/2005, 12:15 pm

Message: Starting on January 5, 2005, all US airlines are charging for drinks across the Atlantic Ocean. I suggest a European carrier if you drink unless their price is $30 more than the US airline.

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There was no charge for drinks on Northwest flights earlier this month that I took to and from London.

Just got got back from LAX-NRA-BKK and return on UAL Drinks on all legs. :-B

I just got back from Zurich. Flew IAD-ZRH-IAD on a 767-300. Alcohol drinks were offered at $5 or 4 euros. Ok by me, might save me a buck on the fare.

I know your question was a simple one for information. But your question struck a cord w/me. I don't like flying on international flights w/free alcohol. My experience is that it encourages too much drinking in a situation where it might be good not to do so. I know that may not be a popular opinion. I am a drinker, but I don't drink on flights. The last time I was on an internatl. flight w/free drinks I had a woman across the aisle from me who was, well, shall I say, very actively taking part in the free drinks, and she started harassing me for "putting my big b_tt" in her face when I stepped into the aisle to get something out of the overhead (and my rear side is not big, and it was not in her face). It was a very uncomfortable flight. The harassment continued, to the point where my business colleague told me to go talk to the flight attendant in the galley about the situation. I did so. And they still continued to serve her more free drinks.
Personally I would rather that people have to pay the $4 to $5 to get a drink. It cuts down on the feeling of "I've paid for the flight, I'll make the airline pay for the liquor" mentality which I suspect leads people to drink more than they would otherwise.

This all reminds me of the story Elaine Stritch (famous actress, more famous alcoholic) tells of flying LAX-JFK crying on a friend's shoulder after breaking off an engagement with Gig Young:

"I don't know if I was crying because of Gig or because I couldn't get a third drink on American Airlines...!"

Call me old-fashioned, but my first concern with air travel is getting from one place to another. Whether there's booze on the way is WAY down on my priority list. And since the booze served in coach for free has (in my experience) been really rot-gut, bottom-drawer stuff, I'll pay for the better booze.

The problem now is that you are paying $5.00 for this really bad bottom drawer stuff.

:((

Here is what united.com lists as the wine selections in United Economy:

International and Domestic flights
Red:
Brook Hollow Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 California
Vina Canepa Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Colchagua Valley
White:
Vina Canepa Chardonnay 2002 Central Valley Classico
Wente Hayes Ranch Chardonnay 2003 California

Well, Wente Chard and Brookhollow Cab aint exactly slummin' ....

Perhaps they offe1r it for $5.00 on their flights Atlantic Ocean and domestic flights. And they offer it for free on their Pacific flights.