Yet another aviation thread.

The cheap airline karma caught up to me this weekend.

My wife and I arrived early to the airport on Friday assuming it would be very busy for the holiday weekend. We were basically able to walk straight through security in a minute or two which left us over an hour to kill at the airport. My wife ordered a glass of wine at the bar and was asked if she wanted the regular size or the taller size. My wife opted for the taller glass and when the bill came it was $22.50. I realize airport prices on drinks are ridiculous but I think this is the first time having a drink that cost more than her airfare.

Quote: DRich

The cheap airline karma caught up to me this weekend.

You remind me of this ridiculously cheap movie theater we used to go to in the late 70s. It was huge and in a very bad state of disrepair. Not a single item at the concession stand was cheaper than the ticket.

So how much would that amount of wine cost on board the airplane?

Quote: DRich

The cheap airline karma caught up to me this weekend.

My wife and I arrived early to the airport on Friday assuming it would be very busy for the holiday weekend. We were basically able to walk straight through security in a minute or two which left us over an hour to kill at the airport. My wife ordered a glass of wine at the bar and was asked if she wanted the regular size or the taller size. My wife opted for the taller glass and when the bill came it was $22.50. I realize airport prices on drinks are ridiculous but I think this is the first time having a drink that cost more than her airfare.

One of my flights this weekend was on a Spirit A321. This was the first time I noticed how much wider the center aisle is. It definitely helps speed up the boarding and deplaning process. One of the few advantages of Spirit other than fares is they seem to board and deplane much quicker than other airlines due to the fact that there is a lot less people dealing with carry-on luggage.

Nareed, I think once again I beat the airline. My wife and I didn't pay for any bags, seats, drinks, snacks or any other incidentals to Spirit. Total price $44 round trip for each person.

Quote: DRich

Nareed, I think once again I beat the airline. My wife and I didn't pay for any bags, seats, drinks, snacks or any other incidentals to Spirit. Total price $44 round trip for each person.

Only because you cheated the airline by drinking at the airport :)

Quote: Nareed

You remind me of this ridiculously cheap movie theater we used to go to in the late 70s. It was huge and in a very bad state of disrepair. Not a single item at the concession stand was cheaper than the ticket.

So how much would that amount of wine cost on board the airplane?

It probably would have been about $15 on the plane but I am not sure as I rarely look at the price list. Sadly, alcoholic drinks are usually a high percentage of our total vacation costs probably only exceeded by the hotel rooms.

Quote: DRich

It probably would have been about $15 on the plane but I am not sure as I rarely look at the price list. Sadly, alcoholic drinks are usually a high percentage of our total vacation costs probably only exceeded by the hotel rooms.

Still probably cheaper than the "free" drinks at the casino ;)

Of higher quality, too.

Are you expected to tip if you purchase food or drink on board?

Quote: Aussie

Are you expected to tip if you purchase food or drink on board?

From what I read it is not expected, but greatly appreciated.

During the inaugural flight of Pan Am’s 747SP from New York to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, several passengers were members of the Saudi royal family, one of whom purchased a pearl necklace for every female member of the crew.

A Pan Am stewardess remembers the 1960's when flying was mostly for the extremely well off. Young, glamorous and full of flair, the entire crew would frequently be invited by local politicians and socialites to parties, country clubs and outings. She fondly remembers being treated to a lavish lifestyle during layovers around the world—splashy nights out in Copacabana, long days on the beach in Monrovia, or elbow-rubbing with socialites in Tehran, often at the InterContinental hotels that used to be owned by Pan Am.

Emirates is asking airbus for assurances about the A380 program before it places any more orders for the plane.

I may have this all wrong, but isn't the whole program dependent on someone (ie Emirates) placing more orders for the plane?

That said, Emirates is concerned about resale value. I'd be too, given that of the first five used A380s expected to be on the market soon, perhaps two will find a buyer (Portuguese wet-lease/charter co. Hi Fly).

And so it goes...

Quote: Nareed

Emirates is asking airbus for assurances about the A380 program before it places any more orders for the plane.

You any orders above the Nov-Dec 2013 order that Emirates placed for 50 jets. That order essentially saved the program or it would probably be shutting down at the end of this or next year.

Understandably Emirates wants a new engine option before placing any more orders. Emirates already has 150 Boeing 777-8/9 on order, and they will simply continue to expand their fleet with Boeing aircraft.

I don't know who has all-Boeing fleets anymore
Southwest famously has 735 Boeing 737s with another 200 on order.
Alaska Air had 154 Boeing aircraft with another 47 on order, but they purchased Virgin America which had an all Airbus fleet.
Aeromexico has 72 Boeing aircraft.

There are many airlines with an all Airbus fleet.

Quote: Nareed

Emirates is concerned about resale value.

I find that very hard to believe. Emirates plans to lease them for 12 years and then return them to the lessor. The lease companies are very concerned about resale value, but not Emirates.