Do you enjoy a few drinks when you’re flying on the airlines? Do you recall the “good ol’ days” when the drinks were free even in economy? How about when cocktails were mixed for you or when drinks weren’t served in a little plastic cup?
For most of us those days are pretty much gone unless we can pony up the cash for business or first class or happen to be flying on an airline that’s trying something retro (like V Australia’s self-service bars in Business Class and Premium Economy). That’s not to say, however, that there aren’t some good drinks being served on airliners around the world as they carry people from place to place high above the usual levels where drinks are consumed.
A friend of mine from back in my crazy days living in Boston is now based in San Francisco and is a freelance writer covering the world of cocktails & spirits. He also runs Alcademics.com, a blog about drinking and travelling.
He’s recently started a page on his site where he’s listing drinks menus from airlines around the world. In addition to his own travels, he’s asking for people to help by taking photos of the drinks list (usually found in the inflight magazine) and sending it to him along with the date and the airline. Also supplying what route you were travelling would help but the key is the drinks, the date and the airline.
So far his collection is primarily from US airlines with a couple from Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic. Given it’s a great idea and a good start, how about we help add to the stash. Next time you’re flying, don’t forget to take a photo of the drinks list and send it in. You can also help by spreading the word to people around the world to get those photos and send them in to him (his address is on the Airline Drinks Menus page).
I just wish I’d remembered this when I was flying Virgin Blue the other day. Oh well – sounds like a good excuse to go for another flight, no? :)
