Did you know that Aeroflot has banned alcohol in economy class on flights to Bangkok, Havana and Shanghai for nearly a decade? That ban is about to end.
I honestly had no idea such a ban existed on Aeroflot (of all airlines), but after a pattern of poor behavior tied to alcohol, the Russian carrier banned adult beverages on “troublesome” flights in February 2010. Business Class was never impacted.
Aeroflot calls the program a success. Its alcohol-related disturbances have dropped across the board (though it did not stop a hijack attempt last month). So why loosen up the policy now?
While it has not given a reason, Aeroflot has not offered complimentary alcohol since 2006. I can only imagine that the airline views this as a revenue opportunity. Why else would it bring back this temptation, especially after another alcohol-induced episode occurred even last week?
The first time I flew Aeroflot longhaul was from Moscow to Hong Kong in 2007. This was before the blog, but a centerpiece of my trip report would have been the drunk passenger in business class who started screaming in the middle of the night. These were the sorts of “I’m being stabbed” screams that took several crew members to calm him down. Talk about a nightmare…
CONCLUSION
With these changes, wine will be available on flights greater than three hours and beer greater than six. So you might want to watch out if you find yourself traveling to/from China, Cuba, or Thailand on Aeroflot.
> Read More: One Aeroflot 737-800 Diverts As Another Skids Off Runway
image: Aeroflot
I flew Aeroflot SVO-BKK in economy in 2o08 and I can assure there was free flow alcohol across all cabins. Absolute shit-show. No wonder they stopped serving it — but the ban (at least on BKK) definitely came later than 2006.
The BKK-SVO sector should be one characterised as troublesome. More than a few passengers board, for a 9.00am departure, having spent a last night partying, consequently three sheets to the wind. I’ve taken that flight often to connect through to Europe; more than once passengers have been taken off before departure, initially thought to be medical emergency ,only to be confirmed later as passed out drunk.
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
What could possibly go wrong?