Downgraded: Cocktails as tourist marketing
Thailand’s tourist managers have concocted a mixed drink to personify the spirit of the nation, or so they claim in their heavy-handed marketing blitz. A “Siam Sunrays” cocktail “consists of a shot of vodka, coconut liqueur, a dash of chili pepper and sugar, lime juice, a few slivers of lemongrass and ginger — shaken not stirred, then strained into a glass — with ice and soda water.” Do they really think that a drink — or many, many drinks — will make us forget the hassles of days-long airport closures and monarchist rioting? Apparently so: “Successful signature drinks are one way to fast-track holiday destinations onto the world tourism map,” according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai Hotels Association. And the “shaken, not stirred” instructions will make every tourist feel like a secret agent!

Upgraded: Your Starwood points
Every year, hotels rejigger their point redemption structure. For years, the changes have generally been bad for the customer, but not this year. Starwood has released their category changes, and many hotels are moving down a notch. It’s not because they’re now roach motels: It’s because they’ve got a lot of empty rooms. Take advantage.

Downgraded: Your job, or your seat
ESPN sports commentator Stacey Dales opted to quit her job, rather than fly in coach, as would have been required under new network rules. Hard-freakin’-core. Since Ms. Dales is a former WNBA player, I immediately assumed that her height had something to do with the matter. But Wikipedia has her at “only” 6 feet tall — about my height — and I’ve braved many an economy seat and lived to tell the tale. Good luck finding an employer who provides you with the extra legroom and hot nuts, Stacey! (That sounds dirty. Really, it’s not.) To be fair, the issue was equity: Apparently some of her colleagues were flying first, and she wasn’t. (Via, via.)

Downgraded: United flight attendant’s respect for the passengers
United flight attendants on a recent Chicago-to-Denver flight announced, in conversation with the cockpit, that it was time to serve “drinks to the idiots in coach.” Somehow, the conversation was broadcast on the inflight audio’s channel 9 (which I love), normally limited to conversations between pilots and air traffic control. When made aware of the public nature of their insult, the flight attendants didn’t apologize. Stay classy!

Upgraded: Recycling
If airlines are downsizing their fleets, then we might see more of these in the future: Airplane wing desks!

Most travelers on U.S.-based airlines have become resigned to the $5 cocktail on international routes, especially across the Atlantic. But as the Wall Street Journal notes, European carriers are starting to phase out free drinks at 35,000 feet as well.

SAS is offering one free alcoholic beverage on its long-haul flights, while Aer Lingus has already added a charge for all its booze.

More and more, I think you’ll find the one-free-drink rule, a la SAS and Delta, will be the norm for transatlantic travel. (Transpacific, the liquor is still flowin’!)

Related:
- The return of the comp inflight cocktail

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