Drinking on flights. - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

wphsmike · 01-05-2006, 05:19 PM

Do you have to be 21+ to drink on International flights? Is it like on cruise ships (international waters), is it like International air?

Ha, anyone know?

Mike

**space virgin** · 01-05-2006, 06:10 PM

Whatever the legal drinking age is in the country where the flight originates is how old you need to be to get tanked on the plane. Unless you smuggle in your own flask or something.

I think cruises are the same thing, but it could be different.

**Brookers13** · 01-05-2006, 08:52 PM

yes i always hated this rule cuz on the 2 flights i had to cancun they served mimosas when you crossed out of the US and i could never get one cuz i was underage....not anymore...maybe i should go to cancun just to get one

**space virgin** · 01-05-2006, 09:17 PM

^

Yeah, I know that whenever I'm craving some orange juice mixed with champagne, "coach class to Mexico City" is the first place I think of to get it!

Just kidding.

**pinion** · 01-05-2006, 09:57 PM

Getting drunk on flights is the best

On my way back from Europe I got pretty smashed and chatted up my whole section, it was great!

**Joker** · 01-05-2006, 10:05 PM

I was drunk once getting onto a flight

Well, more like hungover/woke up drunk. Sobered up somewhere in the 55 minute flight from Baltimore to Pittsburgh, and reeked of Tequila.

When I touched down in Pittsburgh, all I could think of was two things: Greasy food and a beer. Unfortunately, the bars open at noon, and this was 9:30 am. From here on out, I travel with a flask! :D

chelseafc05 · 01-05-2006, 10:20 PM

i dont think it would be wise for me to get pissed on a plane.......

**omisan** · 01-05-2006, 11:49 PM

Mmm.. I've been drinking on planes since I was 16. I'm sure it was BS, but a friend in high school once told me that the US 21+ drinking age doesn't apply on airplanes, so I'd just been ballsy enough in that belief to simply order beers without flinching - they never said no. Flight attendants are pretty overworked and don't seem to give much of a shit about non-security issues, or at least, that's the impression that I get.

**d_fresh** · 01-06-2006, 06:50 AM

I've never been asked for ID on a plane.

xanthuos · 01-06-2006, 01:32 PM

I've been IDed on US domestic flights for drinks, but wasn't on my flight to London. Be careful about drinking on planes...it affects you more because of the altitude...

Also, not saying any t-punkers would do this, but it is a violation of federal law to disobey a flight attendant's instructions or directive. Believe it or not, they're not just drink waitresses in the sky

wphsmike · 01-06-2006, 05:41 PM

I might have a beer or two, just to kick back and relax. I don't plane on drinking too much on the plane. Of course I will do what the flight attendant says, I don't want to get into any trouble during my trip. I'm going to see on the plane if I can order anything. Will let you know. The gay flight attendants are always nicer to males...wonder why?! So I will ask the male flight attendants first. I'm no homophob, please don't get that from this message.

Mike

xanthuos · 01-07-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wphsmike@Jan 6 2006, 09:41 PM
I might have a beer or two, just to kick back and relax.* I don't plane on drinking too much on the plane.* Of course I will do what the flight attendant says, I don't want to get into any trouble during my trip.* I'm going to see on the plane if I can order anything.* Will let you know.* The gay flight attendants are always nicer to males...wonder why?!* So I will ask the male flight attendants first.* I'm no homophob, please don't get that from this message.

Mike

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Not at all, that's how I've gotten free drinks on my Southwest flights

**noke_travel** · 01-08-2006, 11:50 AM

although i'm not sure what the exact laws are, i know that usually, the airline will serve to people they feel are around the legal age of the home country of the airline (British Airways,Alitalia, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa etc.=18 Icelandair=20 American Airlines, Delta=21) usually they don't start drink service (unless in business or first) until 20/30 minutes or so after take off so by that time you should be out of US airspace (if flying from the coasts.)

i could be wrong on this one though

wphsmike · 01-08-2006, 11:57 AM

So take British Airways instead of Delta? I only am a fan of Delta Song. But, is British Airways a nice and cosy airline?

Mike

**omisan** · 01-09-2006, 01:04 AM

Song won't fly you to Europe (and Delta's folding Song soon, anyway, which is a shame) but I'll go on the record 50x over and say BA is a far superior airline to Delta. I often take Delta for domestic flights (I get airmiles for Virgin with them) but for international flights, I'll pretty much always choose the foreign carrier - better service, better food, and more free drinks!

**Joker** · 01-09-2006, 08:30 AM

American did drink service on both of my flights yesterday- domestic and int´l. However, the only drinks that are free are non-alcoholic drinks. I had to pay $5 each for a mini bottle if i wanted it. Same with beer and wine.

The trick was to drink a bit in the bar in the airport, then get a couple minis in you ;D

Actually, i was so worn out, i ordered two mini tanquerays, cut ém wih some tonic and lime and passed right out for about an hour or so.... YMMV.

**space virgin** · 01-09-2006, 09:35 AM

DEFINITELY pick British Air over anything related to Delta. It's not that Delta is horrible, but Omisan is right-- foreign carriers are (almost) ALWAYS far superior to their domestic counterparts.

**noke_travel** · 01-09-2006, 09:46 AM

just a head's up though, while british and virgin have free booze in all classes throughout the flight, other european airlines aren't so kind. when i flew icelandair last year they charged for any drink besides water, coffee, tea or milk. I think it was like a dollar or two for a can of coke.

also, british airways' flight attendants seem much more willing to come by and refill your drink than on virgin.

**omisan** · 01-09-2006, 03:28 PM

Yes, Virgin has gotten much stingier with the booze since Courtney Love's little air rage blowup on the LAX-LHR route. BA flight attendants will keep topping you up without asking, but on Virgin you have to ask - sometimes repeatedly. They are, on the other hand, very nice about refills on all the non-alcoholic stuff. They once gave me run of the galley to hit up the orange juice and water since I was asking so much.

wphsmike · 01-09-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jan 9 2006, 11:28 PM
Yes, Virgin has gotten much stingier with the booze since Courtney Love's little air rage blowup on the LAX-LHR route.* BA flight attendants will keep topping you up without asking, but on Virgin you have to ask - sometimes repeatedly. They are, on the other hand, very nice about refills on all the non-alcoholic stuff. They once gave me run of the galley to hit up the orange juice and water since I was asking so much.

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Free beer and alcoholic beverages? Do you have to be 21? I will only be 18 at the time of the flight.

mIke