‘Flight ma khaman ne beer’ | Maiden Surat-Bangkok flight runs out of liquor as 175 passengers consume 15 liters liquor on a 4-hour flight
Air India Express’ maiden Surat-Bangkok flight on December 20 became the talk of the town for an unusual reason—record liquor sales onboard. The flight, operated on a 176-seater Boeing 737 MAX, catered to 175 enthusiastic passengers traveling from Gujarat, a dry state, to the popular tourist destination of Bangkok.
Thailand, The Land of Smiles, is now just a flight away, with direct flights connecting Bangkok to Surat and Pune. The journey continues with flights from Amritsar starting 27 Dec and Lucknow from 28 Dec 2024.#FlyAsYouAre and #XploreThailand! pic.twitter.com/T45BXRXF8P
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) December 21, 2024
The airline, known for its affordable liquor prices, saw unprecedented demand for beverages like Chivas Regal and Bira Lager beer. Miniature bottles of Bacardi White Rum, Red Label, and Beefeater Gin were also popular, with prices ranging between ₹400 and ₹600. Sources revealed that passengers consumed over 15 liters of alcohol worth ₹1.80 lakh during the four-hour journey.
Air India's first flight from #Surat to #Bangkok received 98% passengers on the first day itself, passengers finished their stock of whiskey and beer, 300 passengers drank 15 liters of alcohol worth more than 1.80 lakh in a 4-hour journey. pic.twitter.com/eG5LDq53Zt
— Smriti Sharma (@SmritiSharma_) December 22, 2024
Controlled Serving Amid High Demand
Cabin crew adhered to strict policies, limiting sales to two miniatures or cans per passenger to prevent unruly behavior, a rule observed across airlines following previous incidents. However, additional drinks were served to passengers deemed in control of themselves. Some passengers reportedly turned to social media to share their mid-air experience, posting photos and videos of the spirited celebrations.
A journalist on X noted that the maiden flight saw a 98% passenger load factor, with all onboard whiskey and beer consumed. “Passengers also brought their own snacks, including theplas, khaman, and pizza, to enjoy with their drinks,” another user wrote.
SURAT-BANGKOK FLIGHT 98% FULL, PASSENGERS DRINK UNTIL LIQUOR RUNS OUT, CREW SAYS 'SORRY NO LIQUOR'
— Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) December 21, 2024
Air India Express’ new Surat-Bangkok flight, launched on December 20th, was 98% full on its very first day! But what made this flight unforgettable? Passengers’ wild alcohol… pic.twitter.com/7c9KzJWBQE
Affordable In-Flight Offerings
Air India Express’ onboard liquor is considered budget-friendly compared to other low-cost carriers. The airline also offers hot meals, which were in high demand alongside beverages. Veg biryani and non-veg noodles were the top meal choices, with many passengers pairing their theplas and khakras with their favorite drinks.
While the exact number of drinks sold remains undisclosed due to commercial sensitivity, the airline assured that it did not run out of stock during the flight. An official noted, “Some passengers may have been refused additional servings, but we ensured that supplies were sufficient for the journey.”
The maiden Surat-Bangkok flight is already setting a precedent for Air India Express, blending affordable luxury with a unique travel experience.
