TUI Airlines is ending its policy of offering economy passengers up to three free alcoholic drinks on long-haul flights. From November 1, 2026, only soft drinks, water, and juices will remain complimentary, while beer and wine will be served with the main meal. Additional alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Details of the policy change
A TUI spokesperson confirmed the change: 'From 1 November 2026, we are making some changes to the food and drink service included for customers travelling in Economy on our long-haul flights. Customers will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout their flight, and a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal. Additional alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase onboard.'
Adults with existing bookings affected by the change will receive a £12.50 refund per flight, each way. The Premium cabin experience remains unchanged.
Mixed reactions from passengers
On TikTok, reactions were divided. @chrisbr called it 'good news,' while @flyingjames said, 'It lasted longer than I thought it would, this free drinks policy.' @angiec009 welcomed the change: 'Good, I am glad. I sat on a 10-hour flight to Mexico last year, a wedding group of about 20 adults where absolutely pissed before even getting on. TUI still served them for about 7 hours. I was fuming; it was like a flight to Ibiza with 18-year-olds.'
However, some were unhappy. @emma.glynn2 wrote, 'TUI are dead to me,' and @reggie6386 remarked that the airline 'has gone down the pan.' @catfantastic5 exclaimed, 'How RUDE,' while @rich46528 added, 'One drink my a**e! Ffs!!!!!'
Other airlines tightening alcohol rules
TUI is not alone. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told The Times earlier in 2026 that airports should ban alcohol on early flights. A Ryanair spokesperson told Metro: 'The problem is not drinking on board one-hour flights; the excessive drinking occurs in airport terminals where no limits are placed on alcohol consumption, especially during flight delays.' Ryanair introduced a €500 fine for disruptive passengers on June 12, 2025.
Jet2 has also called for a national database to ban disruptive passengers across UK airlines, according to a statement shared with Business Insider in April 2026.
Rising incidents of drunken behaviour
Official Civil Aviation Authority statistics show that in 2019, airlines reported 390 incidents of difficulty controlling intoxicated, violent, or unruly passengers. By 2023, that number rose to 1,245, and in 2024 it remained over 1,000. Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years' imprisonment. A 2025 Which? investigation found alcohol is the most common cause of misbehaviour on flights, according to cabin crew.
Financial pressures behind the move
Ben Westoby, senior business consultant at Forbes Burton, told Metro that keeping free drinks for premium seats suggests commercial motives. 'While I'm sure that dealing with drunk passengers at 35,000 feet can be a challenge, the fact that TUI are keeping complimentary alcoholic drinks for those with premium seats suggests that this change hasn't been brought about purely to combat anti-social behaviour,' he said. He noted that the Iran war left a £34.7 million hole in TUI's finances.
The International Air Transport Association now expects the industry to post a combined net profit of $23 billion (£17.19 billion) in 2026, down from a previous projection of $41 billion (£30.63 billion) and a drop from $45 billion (£33.62 billion) in 2025.
Consumer brand expert Chad Teixeira agreed: 'In my opinion, this [move] is driven by both commercial and behavioural factors. Airlines are under increasing pressure to provide a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. Most passengers aren't choosing an airline because of unlimited free alcohol, they're choosing reliability, comfort and a pleasant journey.'
