Penny pinching at Heathrow

[SLeanne]

We are due to go away soon from Heathrow T4. OH and I like a couple of drinks before the flight (at 9pm). However, I was shocked last time that a glass of wine is over £10 a glass. If we are discreet, could we get away with buying a bottle in Duty Free and drinking it before the flight (and disposing of the empty bottle before boarding). I know it's not allowed but has anyone done it before and got away with it? Quite frankly I'm getting sick of having to spend C 100 quid for something to eat and a couple of drinks each (family of 4) and am looking at ways of cheating the system 🤔

you’re flying long haul OP over christmas (?)

surely you can stretch to a glass of wine in the airport!

That's what I thought! Don't think I've ever needed a drink at the airport before a flight. If you don't want to pay £10 a glass, just go without? You can have a drink once you arrive.

I would absolutely not do this at all but in front of my kids even less so. If I can't afford to go on holiday and eat and drink what I want to then I don't go. And just a thought, are you actually given the alcohol when you buy it at duty free or is it not given to you when you get on the plane? I'm sure I've seen this somewhere before.
I'd also echo the Wetherspoons option.

I get the sentiment. I wouldn't risk it personally, but I've never been that bothered about drinking before a flight.

Youre on Holiday. Relax in a bar with a nice cold glass. Youre adding to your stress

How do you know I'm not going away for the weekend?! FYI suspect I have ASD (undiagnosed, my DS is diagnosed) as I spend lots of time researching our holidays and getting the best deals I can to the point of obsession in my spare time. I have already shaved a lot off airport parking. We have several holidays a year (not always involving flights), and by doing this we end up getting one of them for 'free'.

It sounds a bit sordid to me but each to their own.

Not sure that drinking half a bottle of wine before a flight is wise, though.

I didn’t know you’re not allowed to open duty free stuff at the airport, is that really a rule? Like if I bought perfume I’m not allowed to spritz it til I reach my destination?

Anyway I’d rather pay up and enjoy the ambiance of the bar (as much as there is at an airport bar) but if you want to go for it OP, who’s going to stop you? Pack some drinkware in your hand luggage and crack on.

A small glass of wine was <£5 in the heathrow wetherspoons when I was there recently. And the white wine is nicely chilled and comes in a proper glass - not rip off at all!

Would the bottle of wine not be warm and not chilled at all ?

Surely the point of a drink before a flight is to relax. What you suggest doesn’t sound relaxing at all.

Pack sandwiches and snacks for 4 of you. Why do you need to have a drink before the flight?

I like a glass of wine myself, but don't think it wouldn't feel right to me doing it under those circumstances and there's if it's more than I feel I want to pay, I will go without. It's not going to be easy hiding a glass of wine and then sipping wherever either.

Again, jumping to conclusions. Did I mention whether the wine would be red, white or sky blue pink? Dearie me.

Just ignore the disapprovers OP...many people enjoy a drink at the airport as part of their going-on-holiday experience. You don't answer to this lot who have nothing better to do than swipe at strangers enjoying something perfectly normal.
Lemon-sucking buggers.

Why don't you take a packed lunch to save on food costs and just buy a glass of wine each? or have a pint, it will be cheaper

Maybe you could go and do a survey in airport pubs?

Penny pinching is for ordinary life, not for holidays.

Will you take plastic glasses 🥂?
A bottle opener?

Nope my opinion doesn’t change. Pay it or go without.

Pack sandwiches too.

Not really, if you factor in the huge amounts of time you spend trying to shave off the pennies. Get a hobby.

I don't like beer!

Can u have drink at home b4 u go?