When we’re traveling, we find that most of our drinking is done in the airport bar rather than on the plane. There’s usually a way better selection in the airport but luckily, some airlines have been getting wise and made it a priority to create drink menus worth ordering from.
Southwest Airlines is known for being inexpensive, so you’d probably assume their alcoholic drink choices would be pretty dismal. False. Okay, they don’t have a huge menu, but it gets major bonus points for being affordable. For wine and beer they have chardonnay, merlot, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Heineken, Michelob Ultra and Corona Extra. In the liquor department, they’ve got Dewar’s Scotch, Jack Daniel’s, Wild Turkey, Tanqueray Gin, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Finlandia Vodka and Canadian Club Reserve. Not bad, as long as you don’t want to do tequila shots in flight.
Delta has fewer offerings than Southwest, but they do take it to the next level (kinda) by offering featured cocktails. The most recent menu we saw had two different choices – “Sky Quench,” which is Skyy Vodka and Fresca served over ice, and “JD Honey and Ginger,” which is Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey and Canada Dry Ginger Ale served over ice. Not the most creative, but there’s some effort.
Virgin is known for providing an all-around great experience, so you knew their menu was going to be good. Their airport clubhouse lounge/bars are the ultimate, but obviously, those are not up in the air. We do wish they’d bring more of their amazing clubhouse drink selections into their planes, but we’re still content with what they currently have: Absolut Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Funkin Margarita Mixer, Jack Daniel’s, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Glenlivet 12 Year Old Scotch, Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila, Veev Acai Spirit, 35° South Cabernet Sauvignon, 35° South Chardonnay, La Campana Sparkling Wine, Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 375ml, Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 375ml, House Red 375ml by Wente Vineyards, House White 375ml by Wente Vineyards, Anchor Steam Beer, Black Star Beer, Blue Moon Beer, Bud Light, Gordon Biersch, Marzen, and Heineken.
We love the bigger drink menus, but we would also love to see the airlines get a little more creative with in-flight mixed drinks and cocktails. Oh well…baby steps. What are the best and worst experiences you’ve had?