V-Flyer

Hi all,
A question for you... what's the minimum age for purchasing alcohol onboard a Virgin Atlantic flight?
If I'm flying from USA (Where it's 21) to the UK (Where it's 18) on a UK airline, which law actually applies? What's the minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol on-board a Virgin Atlantic flight from USA to UK?
Interesting one for you
Thanks,
Ash

I've never thought about that. With the exception of Bubbly in Econ and PE all drinks are free. I have no idea on Virgin's policy about serving minors or age restrictions on purchasing duty free.

Foz xx

The question doesn't seem to be answered anywhere on the Virgin website, or for that matter, any other airline's website. I only wondered because if they were going by UK laws (18) I would be drinking legally but if they were going by USA laws (21) then I would be drinking illegally; as you say the drinks are free on-board Virgin Atlantic so it would just be the consumption of the alcohol rather than the purchase as I wouldn't be buying any duty-free goods.
Ash

Its rude to not accept if you are offered a glass of bubbly you know! ;) Hehehe

Good question - if you are offered alcohol and you are underage, surely that is different to buying it? Like kids over here can have a glass of something at home or at a wedding and that ok but they are not allowed to buy a drink.

I must admit, we've just come back on an Emirates flight and my 16 yr old niece was served with a vodkaa and orange - she did get a funny look from the stewardess but no further comments were made as they knew they were travelling with us. I'd just request a drink and not even think twice about it, the more guilty you look, the more the staff may reserve the right to serve you.

That's a really interesting question ... there is something called the Tokyo Convention that states that the laws in a land where an aircraft is registered apply from the moment when the doors are closed to when they open on arrival when the local laws apply. So that would imply that any Virgin flight follows UK law and therefore the age limit is 18 aboard all flights. e.g. if you depart Miami and the doors are closed then it would apply too.

However, how Virgin apply it I do not know, I have to say I've never seen anyone refused on ground of age.

The age is 18 whether you are departing from the UK or somewhere else.

I had to show my passport once to get the glass of PE champagne! [:p]

As the aircraft has a british reg. All the laws are british. So you have to be at least 18 to drink

To drink onboard from the bar the age limit is 18. To purchase alcahol or cigarettes from Duty Free the age limit is 21....... go figure!!

Matt

And the stickers in the toilets say its a Federal Offence with a $**** fine for tampering with the smoke alarms....

Dean

I was led to believe the duty free option from UK airports was 17 - which is weird as a UK citizen can smoke from 16 but not drink but can buy alcohol in duty free at 17 - very confusing.

Originally posted by virgin is the best
As the aircraft has a british reg. All the laws are british. So you have to be at least 18 to drink

English law allows 16 - 18 year old to purchase beer cider and perry with a meal (and wine in scotland)

Under 16s may also consume alcohol in a restaurant with parents and the restrants consent.

It is illegal for a child under 5 to be given alcohol but only illegal for anyone under 18 to drink on licenced premises.


I do no think aircraft are licence premises. Premises are buildings not vehicles. Never heard last orders called on an A/C or the lttle black sign over the door "Sir Richard Branson licenced to sell intoxicating liquor...".etc


So can any kid over 5 drink if mummy says its OK?

Can your 16year old sip G&Ts so long as they save their bread roll until landed?

Does little Montgomery get to swig champagne so long as he remains seated in his UCS and goes no where near the bar

... or do they work on the principal that the doors are locked and the bobby's never going to get his bike to 30000 feet?

Good call DWiles...

IANALB

Most countries exempt aircraft (and hovercraft and ferries etc etc) from their licensing laws so whilst you're correct from a Butterworth's perspective, I SUSPECT the likely truth is that it is cabin crew discretion.

With Regard to Duty free any 17year old will be able to purchase alchol/cigs etc on board (for flights into the UK)

However you need to be 21 for a Duty Free allowance into the USA

I'm not sure how old you'd need to be to buy duty free stuff from a US airport for the UK?

I imagine 21 too? but ISTBC

Originally posted by Jonathan


I'm not sure how old you'd need to be to buy duty free stuff from a US airport for the UK?

I imagine 21 too? but ISTBC

Correct, Ive tried [and failed! [}:)]]

It is illegal for a child under 5 to be given alcohol but only illegal for anyone under 18 to drink on licenced premises.

I think that this only applies to alcoholic beverages. As a baby, I was given a slug of whisky in my bottle to help me sleep on occasion - a tradition that I continued with my kids:D

Also, gripe water is alcohol based - I remember a case where a woman who was teetotal failed a breathalyser because she was swigging gripe water for her indigestion

Top Deck shandy....anyone?

My guess would be that for a beverage to be counted as alchoholic there is a "less than % alchohol" limit.

I'd expect it would work as it does in this country most of the time - by discretion.

Some people get sold alcohol under the legal age and some people get refused when they're over it - you don't give a guy whose drunk and causing problems another drink. Similarly, a 16/17 year old isn't going to be majorly damaged by a glass of wine. And if noone's going to know any better, then why not...

Originally posted by Matt
To drink onboard from the bar the age limit is 18. To purchase alcahol or cigarettes from Duty Free the age limit is 21....... go figure!!

Matt

FROM DUTY FREE ON BOARD ITS 16

I dont get why 16?
After all to take DF into the UK you need to be 17 or 21 for the USA

I can imagine issues at customs where pax would say well Virgin sold it me..!!

Originally posted by Jonathan
I dont get why 16?
After all to take DF into the UK you need to be 17 or 21 for the USA

I can imagine issues at customs where pax would say well Virgin sold it me..!!

I have no idea about the USA but I do not think it is an offence for a 16 year old to possess alchohol in UK as said before

English law allows 16 - 18 year old to purchase beer cider and perry with a meal (and wine in scotland)

Under 16s may also consume alcohol in a restaurant with parents and the restrants consent.

It is illegal for a child under 5 to be given alcohol but only illegal for anyone under 18 to drink on licenced premises.

Police do have the power to confiscate drink from children (and adults) in relation to public order but this is not the same as stopping them from carrying it.

You do need to be 17 though for a duty free allowance comming into the UK
Whilst it may not an offence to carry it it would technically be taxable and most likely the parents responsibility to declare it.