Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Travel: Hic transit

Simon Calder
Friday 23 September 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

SEVERAL airlines are 'dry' for religious reasons. Their efforts to adapt the normal inflight drinks service to an alcohol-free environment can be hugely entertaining. On Royal Brunei, for example, the closest thing to beer is a can of Swan Light. It looks just like a can of Swan Lager, but tastes every bit as disgusting as you would expect of a drink whose sole ingredients are unfermented malt and hops - like cold Horlicks made with soda water. Worse still is the ersatz wine, a dangerously pink 'sparkling grape drink' that looks and tastes like the stuff you wash your mouth out with at the dentist.

Travellers seeking a cut-price flight to Asia or Australia need not be deterred from travelling on Royal Brunei, however; there is nothing to stop you drinking your duty-frees in flight. The cabin crew will even open your bottle of wine for you, and no charge is made for corkage.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in