How to Behave at an Airplane Bar
Whether you show up in sweatpants or a suit for your long-haul flight in first class (and especially if you're experiencing first class for the first time), the rules for how to behave are the same in the air as on the ground: Be courteous to the people around you, and don't be a jerk.
But, alcohol can blur appreciation for the rules. Take, for example, some Emirates first-class passengers, who have been taking pricey alcohol from the high-end display bar at the front of the first-class cabin on the carrier's flagship A380 aircraft. One Mile At A Time is reporting that as a result of this behavior, Emirates will be removing some bottles from its display bar "to avoid high value items being removed." Specifically, Emirates will no longer display Dom Perignon, Hennessy Paradis, Tessero, and the Emirates Vintage Collection. The good news is these drinks will still be available for first-class passengers to order.
How to Behave at an Onboard Bar
Most people spend a flight eating, sleeping and watching movies, but an open bar raises its own etiquette issues. Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a problem passenger.
Remember That Alcohol Works Differently at Altitude
It's important to remember that the effects of alcohol are magnified once the plane takes off. The dry, pressurized atmosphere exacerbates both the physical and mental effects of alcohol, leading many people to get drunk much more quickly in the air than they would on the ground.
Another big difference when you're drinking in the air is how quickly you get dehydrated. If you normally match your alcoholic drinks with a glass of water when you're out with friends, consider upping the ratio at an onboard bar to stay ahead of the dehydration that accompanies any long flight. Even if it doesn't affect your behavior in the air, you'll be much happier when you land and are trying to navigate customs in a foreign country.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It's best to think of an aircraft bar as a social space where alcohol happens to be served. When I flew Emirates first class, I was surprised to see families and kids congregating there. Children are welcome to get up, stretch their legs, snack and chat with the flight attendants.
While you might be wide awake and ready to party, on long flights there will always be people looking for peace and quiet. The bar feels like a detached area but it's only separated from the back of the business class by a thin curtain. The A380 has surprisingly quiet engines, so remember to use your indoor voices and be respectful of passengers who might be trying to sleep just a few feet away.
You should also remember that as well stocked as the bar is, your intricate craft cocktail order might not be appreciated or even possible. The flight attendants working the bar are always looking to serve, but they might not have every obscure garnish or liqueur you're used to. You can, however, ask for your favorite brand. Airlines generally only keep the business-class champagne and whiskey at the bar, but if you ask a flight attendant to fetch the good stuff (assuming you're actually traveling in first class), they'll be happy to get it. You're welcome to try to tip your bar attendant, though many airlines forbid their employees from accepting tips.
Manage Your Consumption
Indulging in the luxuries of first class is a rare treat for most people. If you've never tasted Dom Perignon, you might be tempted to finish off the bottle and wash it down with a few glasses of Hennessy Paradis cognac. That is the fastest way to recoup the taxes on an Emirates first class award ticket but not a good strategy to enjoy your flight. The attendants on Emirates are almost too good -- if you don't tell them when you've had enough to drink, they'll keep topping off your glass when you aren't looking. You don't want to be that guy who trips and falls in the first-class lounge because a shower and three cappuccinos weren't enough to undo an overindulgent time in the air.
Bottom Line
An onboard bar is a great way to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of a 10-hour flight. While it's OK to relax and have a few drinks, remember that the alcohol will likely affect you much more than on the ground, and the crew (and your fellow passengers) will have a much lower tolerance for erratic intoxicated behavior. Be polite to the crew serving you, be considerate to those around you and pace yourself for the long flight.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.