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The newest weapon in the battle for your money - free booze!
The battle for your summer airfare dollars is getting ugly (for the airlines). For years, Qantas has been the only carrier to offer unlimited free booze on the Los Angeles - Sydney route (at least since all US airlines removed that perk). But now, Delta airlines has decided that booze may be just what passengers need to pick them over any other carrier.
The airline will offer passengers in coach free Amstel, Heineken and wine, so fans of hard liquor and cocktails won't be too impressed with the offer.
Thanks to a massive fare war, passengers can head down under for as little as $320 (each way) , which is about the lowest it has ever been. After taxes and other surcharges, you can snag a ticket (on V Australia) for just $741 R/T.
Whether free booze will have passengers pick Delta over other carriers still has to be seen, but I'm sure there are some people out there who'll be able to drink $50 worth of free beer on their long flight.
So, lets have a little poll here - if airline fares are the same, would you pick one airline over another if they offer free booze?
Is encouraging alcohol consumption on planes a good idea? Click the images below to read stories of booze gone bad in the skies.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Howard Jun 18th 2009 3:15PM
I think it could be a double-edged sword: on one hand if those passengers passed out easily without keep asking for things, going to the washrooms, etc and just sweet dream until landing, it's a blessings to others around; but it could cause even more work-load for the cabin crews, disturbance or troubles caused by some intoxicated passengers.
Master Shake Jun 20th 2009 2:13PM
Other airlines around the world don't have any problem with offering free wine and cocktails, too. The companies in the US are just the greediest, so they try to cut every corner they can. Not because they offer the lowest fares (they don't) but because the executives at the top have seven digit salaries.
caroline Jun 18th 2009 3:36PM
is this only flights to australia? or all international delta flights?
thanks!
Scott Carmichael Jun 18th 2009 3:37PM
At the moment it is only on the LA-Sydney route. All other international routes offer ONE free alcoholic drink, after that it is pay-to-drink.
caroline Jun 18th 2009 3:40PM
very good, scott. thanks for the super-quick reply.
Shawn Jun 18th 2009 3:55PM
Firstly, it's not "free" booze because I am paying $n for my ticket. It rubs me the wrong way when getting something included with my purchase is labeled as free.
Secondly, if I want booze I will go to a bar. How about you stick to what you know and fly the damn plane around.
I'd be happier if they just reduced my ticket by the $5 they intend to spend on alcohol to lure me.
Kyle McKinney Jun 18th 2009 5:33PM
Where are these $320 flights? As much as I love drinking I would rather save a ton of money on my ticket and use it to support the hardworking Aussie bartenders.
Lou Jun 20th 2009 2:10PM
I guess they want a whole lot of drunks on board....oh goody!! A party in the skies!!
Lou @ http://EarningFreeMoney.com
LaBurladora Jun 20th 2009 2:14PM
Well, it would take a lot of booze to make me forget what a crappy airline Delta is, that's for sure.
neuticles Jun 20th 2009 2:35PM
Hand out free booze and have people pass out, puke, become obnoxious, and wet their pants and airline seat but GOD FORBID they light up a cigarette.
Robert Jun 20th 2009 3:02PM
What's the big deal? The pilots have been getting free drinks for years!
ignatzlipshiz Jun 20th 2009 3:03PM
Yeah, and they're gonna charge you $20.00 each time you gotta use the bathroom too!
Jenn Jun 20th 2009 3:17PM
Nothing could induce me to use Delta. They've been going downhill for years and I do everything I can to avoid using them.
Lisa Jun 20th 2009 3:18PM
Sure, I'd take a free drink. But it's a terrible idea. There are already too many drunks in airports and passengers who are obnoxious even when sober. It could make for a VERY
long flight. Can you imagine the lines for the bathrooms??
stew Jun 20th 2009 3:26PM
great. flying these days sucks enough without having to put up with obnoxious drunks!!!!!
Dale Jun 20th 2009 3:38PM
Alcohol causes far more disruptive behavior in general. It would be a good idea to have "Smoking areas" for all. Why was it that the gov and media lied to US about Pot again (The History channel)? Those responsible for enforcing laws (and their lackeys) that where made by lying to the American People should be imprisoned, not those smoking Pot.
cwood Jun 20th 2009 5:01PM
It would take more than free booze to get me to choose Delta over Qantas, and I'm in the Million Miles Club on Delta. Qantas 747s are very comfortable. After the meal service they turn off the cabin lights and you don't hear from the captain or crew on the public address. I can't sleep very well on air flights but I can on Qantas...almost impossible on Delta.
katie Jun 20th 2009 3:37PM
I work for an airline based in the US and we offer free beer and wine on our flights, each month we get a new beer and wine, most of the times they are local from the cities we service. Try Horizon and Alaska if you you are ever flying in the northwest, Canada, Hawaii or Mexico!!
Rosa Jun 20th 2009 3:44PM
Our family has quit the traveling period. Passaports are $100, passaport pictures extra, then airfare, hotel, food, etc. A family of 5 cannot afford trips anymore.
Kyle Staudt Jun 20th 2009 3:47PM
I just finished a trip to Europe, and got my free booze on Delta! It was great. I fly with them anyway because I have a SkyMiles card, but I was very surprised when I asked for a beer, the attendent said it was free when I asked how many Euros equaled the 5$ I thought they were going to charge me. I'd fly Delta anyway...I think they're great! But anyway, that could be a good way for them to get more money out of passengers who get the munchies after a few beers...3$ for a little can of Pringles? That clearly makes up for the cost of the beer and the small can of Pringles with some profit left over. haha.