Mixology at 35,000 Feet

[beans]

Virgin Atlantic places motivation to purchase those first class seats, no?

This program for Upper Class passengers demonstrates that the cocktail phenomenon has reached far beyond restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Kelley pointed out.

Brief press release here.

The few flights that had an experienced flight attendant at mixing up some bevies have made some of my most outstanding memories of travelling. Ah yes, when Continental had a "Sky Pub" in the main section of the aircraft on their international south pacific flights and still flew to the Fiji Islands. It was available to all on the aircraft when the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign was no longer illuminated. Real pub too -- complete with a bar to lean on and small booths and tables.

Cheers!

[Libationgoddess]

Shawn Kellly is a friend of mine, and she sent me a little more information on it:

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED AT 35,000FT -

VIRGIN ATLANTIC INTRODUCES FIRST INFLIGHT MIXOLOGIST

(Norwalk, CT) June 30, 2004 - Virgin Atlantic is working with Bombay

Sapphire this July to introduce the first ever onboard cocktail bar and

specialist cocktail service for Upper Class passengers. On July 1 a Bombay

Sapphire mixologist will be creating a choice of five cocktails for

passengers at the Upper Class Suite onboard bar during selected flights

between New York and London.

Lysette Gauna, Head of Onboard Media, commented:

“We are delighted to trial this unique service with Bombay Sapphire

and look forward to seeing the feedback from customers. We have

offered a successful cocktail service in the Heathrow Clubhouse for

some months now and would now like to see if there is a demand for a

similar service onboard.

“We are planning to trial the onboard cocktail service on some New

York to London flights throughout July, and intend to introduce the

service onto selected flights later in the year.

“The new Upper Class Suite bar is the perfect venue to enjoy a

cocktail - a newly designed private bar in an area separated from

the cabin, which has a welcoming atmosphere.”

Marshall Dawson, Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Director, added:

“Bombay Sapphire is the perfect premium spirit to use for the

discerning passengers travelling in Upper Class with Virgin

Atlantic. Bombay Sapphire is an ideal, extremely versatile spirit

for use in cocktails.

“We are delighted to be the chosen spirit partner by Virgin Atlantic

for such a prestigious and innovative venture. Bombay Sapphire

consumers appreciate and enjoy the best things in life, with luxury

travel rating very highly in their everyday lifestyle.”

Cabin crew will hand out a cocktail menu to Upper Class passengers during

the first drinks service. Passengers can choose from a French 75, Ivy Fizz

Royale, Grapefruit Collins, Gin Martini and a Raspberry Debonaire. The

cocktail barman will be stationed at the onboard bar creating the

cocktails. The cabin crew will serve the cocktails to Upper Class

passengers in their suites or they are welcome to come and sit at the bar

and make their choice. It is intended for the service to be offered for

the first three hours of the flight and consumption will be monitored and

limited.

The mixologist that has been chosen to take part in the trial is the

Managing Director of specialist bartender service – Soulshakers. Having

set up cocktail services at Matchbar, The Player, Milk and Honey, Brass

Monkey and The Saint Bar, he was handpicked by Bombay Sapphire for his

excellent skills and expertise in cocktail shaking and his friendly and

engaging personality.

The mixologist will be in a Bombay Sapphire uniform and therefore be

clearly distinguishable from the Virgin Atlantic cabin crew. He will

receive extensive safety procedure training to enable him to work onboard

an aircraft and will not perform any additional duties throughout the

flight.

Audrey