When no predeparture beverages were offered, and the crewmember isn’t interested in hanging my jacket in first class, I know this is a crew that doesn’t take pride in their job or delivering customer service – a crew that sees themselves as “primarily here for your safety.”
On a flight where a flight attendant left full cans of soda behind for first class passengers, it occurred to me how much I don’t like that practice. And it’s even worse in coach but for different reasons.
If you’re a first class passenger why are you pouring your own drinks? That’s why the Emirates first class in-seat minibar never made sense to me.
Of course, since Emirates offered a personal bar in first class seats, Etihad had to do it, too. If you want a limited selection of warm beverages I guess that’s great, but they literally have staff whose job it is to bring you whatever you wish.
If you’re sitting in back giving out the whole can is generous plus you probably won’t see service again for awhile. At the same time, in coach you just don’t have a lot of room to work with. The can takes up too much space on the tray.
I’ll be using my laptop. I can fit a cup on there but don’t really want to stick both a cup and a can of soda on the tray beside my computer. Besides, I don’t want to drink a full can!
That’s why I’ll usually ask crew not to leave the, which annoys them because they aren’t collecting trash and they’re trying to get through service. In any case, the only soda where I’d consider finishing a whole can – and honestly even there I’d question myself for doing so – is Dr. Brown’s.
I’d much prefer being asked “do you want the can, sir?” And I can say no until some airline starts carrying Dr. Brown’s.
Black Cherry? Cream Soda? Cel-Ray?
Mostly agree, although no problem finishing a can of Club Soda.
If anyone starts carrying Dr. Brown’s diet cream, please make it a headline!!!! The best.
Airlines will start carrying Dr. Brown’s when they begin carrying Icehouse Beer.
Too good to pour your own drink! WOW. Sounds like you would like King Charles who reportedly has staff to put the toothpaste on his toothbrush for him. The entitlement knows no end.
In-seat minibar? Do you get charged $50 if you unplug it?
Talk about the definition of a first-world problem.
You poor dear. They obviously don’t know who you are and your high station in society
While I agree with all of this… there was one time that I didn’t mind pouring my own drink. I was in United Polaris and the FA handed me the last bottle of the wine I was drinking so he could claim they ran out but I’d be good.
That was some good customer service in my book!
Cans are for picnics. ( or what I’ve explained to my kids because I despise sticky spills ). My view, if it’s not a resealable room temperature still water I’m able to tuck in my tote, I’m not interested.
Quiite apparent you’re talking about American Airlines, and their grim stewardessaurasses. I was served a plate of chicken with creamy vomit with corn kernels in it in business class a few days ago London to Los Angeles. I complained about paying >$7000 for the ticket was granted 12,500 miles, the equivalence of $125.
I was told I should be happy I got something to eat at all, (or for that matter, that they didn’t kill me outright).
How else would you have the iconic line from Up in the Air?
“Would you like the can, Sir?”
So entitled. If you don’t want the can, hand it back and say you don’t want it. Or is that too much trouble too?
That’s two entitled posts in the same day, I’ve unsubscribed. Goodbye.
A person with your stature in life should not be reduced to writing about such a mundane topic.
Time to call 1-800-whaaaaaaaaaa
If you are stuck in coach with so many things to put on your food tray, you should buy an extra seat for comfort so you can use that food tray for actual food. This is the typical advice for people who spread out too much in the posts about people of size.
@Tom — Call a whamulence!
……. I thought they had huge private pods for first class? I don’t get the complaint here. It would be a dream come true for me to fly first class on a long-haul flight! Be grateful that you can do that rather than complain about a cup of soda!
Having to pour your own soda…
You are pitiful.
Wow I hope this is satire?! I would love to have a minibar at my seat – who knows if the FAs will even scan 1st class to see if you need more to drink. 1st is not, & will not ever meet your standards. Consider making more $$$ and fly private.
I once overheard a first class passenger tell another, “I need to have 3 predeparture cocktails to make the upgrade pay for itself.” I could only roll my eyes and laugh.
Then you mentioned the hanging of coats. That’s a 1960s carryover from when men were expensive suits. “Shall I hang your Members Only jacket that you’re so desperately shoving in my face, Sir?
But as far as drinks went? You were never on one of my first class flights! The drinks flowed like there was no tomorrow! “I wanna go where you’re pouring! ” said my crew members.
Garry, I agree with you. What these peasants don’t realize is that service continues to decline if you don’t push back. Soon, Susie the pig will indeed be traveling in a cattle crate in freight, and people will be criticizing you for believing she should have a seat.
I feel dumber for reading this story to begin with…..
Sounds like a first world problem……
I respectfully disagree. As often as not I don’t drink alcohol when flying domestically but a can of Coke and a couple of mini bottles of Woodford go awfully nice with a cup of ice. That way I can make it to the strength I like.
To all those pontificating about this being a first world problem, well you’re browsing this travel blog, and presumably not out feeding 3rd world children, so enough with your virtue signaling. It’s fair game to point out garbage service when you’re paying a premium.
For a French, Dr Brown’s remains a mystery… Something really delicious, I guess…
In first class, giving the can is tacky and says, “I won’t be back for quite a while to check on you.” In first class you shouldn’t need the can because refills should be offered proactively.
In main cabin, I like the can and I can MAKE room for it on my tray table!
Of all the things I complain about this just would not be one.
#1: FIRST and FOREMOST – Yes, the flight crew is there for your SAFETY – not to be your personal concierge.
#2: yes, ill pour my own drink because I prefer my mixer/alcohol ratio as opposed to what a flight attendant might think I want.
…seriously? How slow of a news day /was/ it?
I don’t mind getting the can, though usually it’s been poured (the cup is comfortably full) and they leave the rest. In a larger F cabin (16-20) or some of the larger J cabins this makes a lot of sense.
@ Gary — Why always the laptop? Relax, dude. Working constantly will not cause you to escape death.
In economy, I’m so classy I take the can, but decline the cup. Solves all space problems.
(and yes, I want to drink the whole can — and then proceed to drink my 24oz water bottle, too).
This has to be the most bizarre complaint of all time.
It’s funny… you just know all of the folks here saying “first world problem” and “entitled” have never paid for a first or business class ticket in their entire lives, and are probably too stupid and lazy to figure out how to earn enough money to do so. You keep doing your thing, Gary. Those of us who are industrious and intelligent enough to pay for a premium product ought to get the value we deserve.
Sounds like the guy wants his mommy to feed him…
@Mike Hunt – OK you are just as entitled as Gary. Personally I am a retired senior executive who has plenty to pay for whatever class I want. Also I don’t need someone to pour my drink, wipe me or otherwise wait on me. You know that type of labor went away in the 1860s. Get over yourself and quit expecting the world to cater to you!
This is where we are at now?
I weep for the future….
@Retired Gambler – Get over myself? The world will absolutely accommodate me to whatever extent I am prepared to invest the effort and resources required, and to the degree others are willing to meet that demand. That, quite simply, is the essence of a free market, my friend. It is curious that this principle seems to elude you.
@Mike Hunt, @Retired Gambler — *get over yourselves
@ 1990. Haha…”*get over yourselves” …oh boy
This was such a relatable and funny read — it really captures the odd little moments of travel that make flying both frustrating and memorable. I laughed at the bit about balancing drinks in tight spaces; it’s amazing how something small can say so much about service expectations. Thanks for the entertaining story!
Different people, different tastes.
I only like to have the can and drink directly from it to have the maximum amount of Carbon dioxide in it.
I hate when they pour the drinks for me.
Please consider accepting different tastes on that matter
I prefer the can and have no problem pouring my own drinking first second business economy. Third or bottom floor class. In lounges, I certainly prefer self-pour bars. No one makes better drinks than me I promise…. Unless that is you don’t like to drink…
I totally get this! Paying for first class should come with attentive service, not having to pour your own drink. The whole in-seat minibar idea seems convenient, but sometimes it just highlights how much better personalized service really is.
@Manaslu Trekking Nepal — Speaking of Nepal, how are you guys doing over there these days? Saw the US State Department lowered the travel advisory (down to 2) since the ‘civil unrest’ in September 2025. That fire at the Hilton Kathmandu did not look ‘good.’