Alcohol on flights

Among the US-based airlines, Delta and American (fairly recent development) both offer free wine and beer during meals. United and US airways don't (in coach--they of course do in biz and first class!)

Most European based airlines will offer at least wine and beer during meals and sometimes more.

The last time I went to England, I made it into a little bit of a mileage run to get status and flew US Airways from LGA to LGW--but via BOS and CLT on the way there and via CLT and DCA on the way home. Yes, crazy but I got lots of miles! Anyway, US Airways didn't hand out free booze on any of the first 5 flights--not on the red eye over or the longer transatlantic day flight on the way back--but did give out free wine or beer on the hour-long shuttle ride between DCA and LGA! The shuttle is generally flown by businesspeople who often pay high fares (last minute, etc) for the length of the flight and there's no first class so they offer it as an amenity.

Easy way to solve problem...
You can bring food aboard...not sure how easy gummy bears are to get ahold of in the UK...but if ya find some, Get a 5th of smirnoff and soak the suckers in a tin for a few days before you leave and drain the access vodka, throw in Clear plastic bag, and there ya go....Nice alcoholic candy for the plane ride....

As far as I'm aware (and I'm sure you guys will tell me if I'm wrong!) there's no law against bringing alcohol onto the plane, and if I choose to do that, I can just about guarantee I will not be the only one!  Just need to keep it to the 100ml rule.

No need to hide it in sweeties, or try to mix it when no one's looking.
I would have absolutely no problem slurping neat vodka straight from the mini-bottle, if I wanted to do so. 

There isn't a law against bringing alcohol onto the plane but there IS a law against drinking it. You're only allowed to drink alcohol served to you by flight attendants on a plane. If you got caught or were drunk and unruly somehow, you'd be in a lot of trouble. I'd be really careful about hiding them in gummy bears, in particular, since it's hard to know how much alcohol you're actually consuming and you run the risk of consuming too much. If your main goal is just enough so that you can sleep easily, I'd recommend a drink or two in the airport bar before boarding followed by one glass of wine or beer (for me the $6 or whatever is worth not breaking the law) en route.

There isn't a law against bringing alcohol onto the plane but there IS a law against drinking it. You're only allowed to drink alcohol served to you by flight attendants on a plane. 

I did not know this!
(i was wondering why people were being all weird with their suggestions of being sneaky... now I understand!)

Anyway, for anyone who hasn't picked this up, I am a middle-aged woman, not a clueless kid.  I can usually work out what to do for myself.   All I really wanted to know, initially, was whether I'd have to pay for alcohol on board or not, and I apologise if some of my tongue-in-cheek comments were taken literally.

Thanks for all the info!  I learned something new today. 

I did not know there was a law against it either. The only reason I mixed my drink on the sly was because I thought it was "frowned upon" (as in they just wanted you to purchase their drinks. A money-making thing, not a law.)

Middle-aged woman here as well.

DH and I are flying British Airways this summer - am I to understand there are free alcoholic beverages at ANY time?  Or is it just meal times?

DH and I are flying British Airways this summer - am I to understand there are free alcoholic beverages at ANY time?  Or is it just meal times?

BA is about the only one left to offer alcoholic beverages at any point during the flight. I will always choose to fly BA if I can help it.

BA is about the only one left to offer alcoholic beverages at any point during the flight. I will always choose to fly BA if I can help it.

It's gonna be a good flight...

For me, not DH. He has to drive the rental car when we land.

Tracey, I take a Travel Calm when I get on a flight that I want to sleep on. It's meant for travel sickness but it knocks me out!

Tracey, I take a Travel Calm when I get on a flight that I want to sleep on. It's meant for travel sickness but it knocks me out!

I take dramamine, which has the same effect. I don't get anxiety when flying, I just get motion sickness.

I always get anxiety while flying. When I used to work for USAirways and could fly Envoy for practically nothing, I would have two mimosas before take off, a glass of wine with my dinner, and another glass or two after. Then I would sleep like a baby. I miss flying first class...they used to set up like a little mini bar so you could help yourself to wine, beer or hard liquor during the flight.

First couple of times I went to the States (late '90's) there were free alcoholic drinks but since then I've only encountered it once, not sure who I was flying with. And that time in front of me were 3 men, all middle aged, who were completely obnoxious and got more so as the flight went on because they kept asking for, and getting, more free alcohol.
I'll have 1 with my meal and maybe another if they come by again, that's it....I think some people abuse it and for this reason I think I'd rather they charge for it.

We usually fly Air Canada to the UK (we live in northern New York State so Ottawa is our nearest airport.)  Air Canada has free alcohol at any time during the flight (as well as mealtime.)  Depends on the crew.. sometimes you have to ask, other flights they are constantly coming around offering it.

United and the other US airlines are notorious for making you pay for everything. I avoid them at all costs. In the future, go for BA if it's not too much more expensive. I find them to be better in all areas. I've been on Air Canada a lot lately, and they're also fantastic. You get free drinks and on demand TV and movies no matter how long your flight is.

I flew to the US last year on BA, and I assumed I was on BA coming back, but I was actually on BA operated by American. Big mistake. I'm not one to drink on a plane usually, but the drinks weren't free AND there was no entertainment system - only the random overhead TVs, which I couldn't even see. No fun. Always make sure you're not on BA operated by a crap US airline!