"Welcome aboard sir , your the only one travelling with us tonight"

[Flying Fox]

Fair enough, what about vaguely: pre or post 2001?

Pre-2001

Filler

 

[Grooba]

I remember back in 2009 being one of 7 on a 763 from either BNE or MEL (can't remember exactly) heading back to SYD. Last flight of the night... was the only time I've managed to have 4 drinks on the short hop.

 

[pauly7]

Been on 1 of 3 on entire Virgin flight (CBR service) before they pulled the whole service.

Was spooky...

 

[simongr]

was the only time I've managed to have 4 drinks on the short hop.

You need to practice more

 

[pshepvic]

Some awesome stories here. My best was when the World Cup was on in Sydney a few years ago. Qantas had to reposition a 747 from SYD-MEL to clear out a bunch of people from Sydney after one of the games. They must have put the seats to Sydney on sale that day, as they were dirt cheap (something like $30 one way) and we only booked 4 hours before the flight.

We got to the airport and almost missed the flight through a comedy of errors (including having to hitch-hike from long term parking to the terminal as the buses were all full!)

Eventually got onboard the 747-300 then sat there for an hour whilst they had to change a tyre.

There were maybe 15-20 people on board scattered around - we got an exit row but no upgrade. In fact, I think everyone in economy got an exit row.

After take off there was an apology as the catering company was on strike so there was no food ... instead there was a liquid dinner of little bottles of spirits for the hour to Sydney.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Grooba]

You need to practice more

I think it would be near impossible to get served 5 drinks on a 60 minute flight. Sure it's a challenge but would it really be possible?

 

[Febs]

I think it would be near impossible to get served 5 drinks on a 60 minute flight. Sure it's a challenge but would it really be possible?

In the US where they have no concept of RSA, sure. Flew DFW-LAX (granted, a lot longer than 60 minutes) and my mate sitting next to me drank them completely out of Jack Daniels. When he asked for another one, they came back and said "Sorry sir, you've completely drained our entire stock of JD...so here's a Jim Beam instead".

 

[amaroo]

I think it would be near impossible to get served 5 drinks on a 60 minute flight. Sure it's a challenge but would it really be possible?

Sure thing - you need to check out FT, 8 bottles of Dom TR, legendary stuff.

I think this would be brilliant & unsettling at the same time

 

[Princess Fiona]

In the US where they have no concept of RSA, sure. Flew DFW-LAX (granted, a lot longer than 60 minutes) and my mate sitting next to me drank them completely out of Jack Daniels. When he asked for another one, they came back and said "Sorry sir, you've completely drained our entire stock of JD...so here's a Jim Beam instead".

This has happened to me too, earlier this year flying AA MCO-MIA in F. MIA was closed as Obama had landed. We spent over an hour on the tarmac at MCO. FA's continually refilling glasses and they ran out of gin. I wasn't the only passenger drinking it of course, well at least I think not

 

[QF WP]

Or at least you hope not, Princess Fiona.

I can't recall many near empty flights that warrant any stories

 

[russianrob]

My best was 1 of 2 travelling Gold Coast to Sydney the first morning of a set of NSW school holidays.
It's a strange experience to be out numbered by the staff for sure.

 

[reductionist]

On one of my first international trips I was traveling solo and was 1 of about 6 in the Y cabin. May have been a SIN-MEL flight with Malaysian? Anyway...

The crew seemed to have no time to do a safety briefing. They were shuffling around the cabin quite a bit when the engines suddenly started roaring and we were charging down the runway. There was no announcement from the captain to prepare for takeoff so none of them were seated. One fell over and the rest took the nearest seat they could find.

I thought this was relatively standard at the time. Now I know better.

 

[awilcockson]

That story beats mine. In my pre-AFF days, I was travelling back from Europe with my wife on a QF 747, there would have been maybe 20-30 people in the entire economy cabin. Everyone got their own individual row of 4 seats to sleep on, which was nice

 

[Grooba]

In the US where they have no concept of RSA, sure. Flew DFW-LAX (granted, a lot longer than 60 minutes) and my mate sitting next to me drank them completely out of Jack Daniels. When he asked for another one, they came back and said "Sorry sir, you've completely drained our entire stock of JD...so here's a Jim Beam instead".

You're 100% right in US domestic - it seems anything goes!

Regarding the short hop citiflyer runs my general experience is they will bring the drinks cart around with the meal/snack service. Then when they come and clear that away, another is possible. By the time that happens (if the flight is relatively full) it's time for descent.
I've managed 3 drinks occasionally and 4 only once (as mentioned above) so I wonder if anyone has had 5 on the short hop?

 

[amaroo]

You're 100% right in US domestic - it seems anything goes!

Regarding the short hop citiflyer runs my general experience is they will bring the drinks cart around with the meal/snack service. Then when they come and clear that away, another is possible. By the time that happens (if the flight is relatively full) it's time for descent.
I've managed 3 drinks occasionally and 4 only once (as mentioned above) so I wonder if anyone has had 5 on the short hop?

I've had 5 before the plane pushed back on a MEL-SYD run. Big problem with A/C and they had to wait for an engineer to come & fix it........it was so hot they decided to let people get off if they wanted too. I & a few colleagues stayed on board and were served drinks - great flight.

 

[drewbles]

I have been the only pax in J on a 738 trans con some time ago.

Was flying home for a funeral and was feeling decidedly average after not having slept much in the previous few days, and the crew noted I was on a MAAS fare in whY.

The CSM asked me if there was anything they could do, and apologised I was not travelling under happier circumstances. I noted that J was empty, and asked if there was any chance I could just try and get some rest 'up front'. Shortly after take-off, I noted the J curtains closed, and I was then ushered up front, where they had closed all the window shades, and offered me anything I wanted from the J cart. I declined, but they insisted and gave me a few handfuls of biscuits/cakes from the offering. Stunning effort on behalf of the crew. Got some rest, and felt a little better going to my Grandmothers funeral. Being the only person on a 738 in J was very private-jet like (BBJ anyone?)

I also took quite a few SYD-PER flights on AN Mark II's no-frills re-launch special. Could frequently pickup a return for $300 so took advantage of it. Was frequently also only 5-10 people on an A320. Was a great way to talk to the crew and how excited they were about Tesna. I really dislike Lindsay Fox for giving so many staff what really equated to false hope, but that's for another thread...

 

[ric_melb]

Two experiences here. Last year on a JASA run CBR/MEL was the only passenger in J on a 737-800. Needless to say got lots of attention and whatever I wanted to eat and drink. Plus an interesting chat about flying, with the Cabin Supervisor.

Another time would have been some 20 years ago. Late night flight from New York to Chicago on AA. Forget the reason now but my plane ended up with only 4 passengers, we all sat up front, well spaced in First. Certainly couldn't complain about the service either.

 

[Pushka]

Hubby and I were the only ones in Air Vanuatu Business class (Free flights through points) and the service was abysmal. We had to keep asking for basics like water!

 

[plspoon]

Best I can do is one of 4 on a flight from Miri to Mulu (Sarawak), but it was only a little fokker, we got no special attention and it is only a half hour flight anyway!
Reading the post about the MAS flight taking off with no announcement, I do remember travelling on an Iberia flight where we came into land with no announcement and people were sleeping across 4 seats etc, no seatbelts, but that was 1980.
My hubbie & I were 2 of 10 on an Ansett flight from Hobart to Melbourne once.
It must be a surreal experience having the J cabin to yourself, let alone the whole plane!

 

[drron]

A story that like Flying fox I live on.have men tioned it here before.
December 1969.flying HIR-POM on Fiji Airways as it was called then.
Only pax.Captain came over to me about 30 minutes before scheduled departure(and I was outside the terminal lying down with my head on my carry on-no lounges then)and says "Are you Drron?"
"Yes"
"Do you want to go now as you are the only passenger?"
"Dont mind if we do"
Of course I was flying Y.No free drinks then for Y but it was my birthday so the bar was opened.Great flight.Chatted with all the flight crew.A Flight Engineer was a supernumerary so he made sure I didn't drink alone.
The arrival into POM I have recounted recently on a thread about POM.
Still have fond memories of that day.