Is it acceptable for airplane passengers to help themselves to drinks in the galley?

Question

I have only taken two long-haul flights in my life, which were an Air France round-trip between Paris and Osaka, so I have limited experience with those. On the first one of these flights, I saw a passenger head to the galley and pour themselves a drink. And ever since then I've been wondering: is this acceptable and/or normal? I'm asking both in terms of "general passenger and crew expectations", and airline policies and regulations.

There were no flight attendants in the galley at that time, and there were no doors or curtains to block access (or if there were curtains, they weren't drawn), so I didn't think too much about it at that time, but I'd still like to know.

Answer 1

Some airlines, not all and not always, provide snacks and/or drinks for anyone to take in the galley. Usually they're obviously arranged to be taken. If you do find a collection of things out in the open in the galley, then they're meant to be taken. Anything else would be stowed away.

It is not okay to rummage through the stowage or touch any devices like the coffee machine obviously.

Answer 2

This is very variable. Traditionally, it definitely wasn't, but in the last decade or two some airlines have introduced self-service periods in the galleys on long-haul flights (when the crew is not actually using the galleys preparing for meal services).

Sometimes this is the case only in the business class galley, sometimes in the economy class galleys as well.

They will usually make it quite clear, by laying out the drinks and a few snacks in baskets or the like, with glasses and ice available, etc. It's quite different from rummaging through the containers, which would most probably be a no-no.

IIRC Air France do it at least in Business class, no idea about economy.

Answer 3

One possibility is that the passenger was an off-duty crew-member deadheading. The regular crew would know who they are and they would know how to handle things properly in the galley.

Answer 4

Well, I have done myself a couple of times both in presence and absence of crew members. Especially, in the long haul flights, where passengers need a bit more than a large leg space and want some open space to walk. I took a chance to even get some snacks from the pantry. The crew was nice and understanding, and they understand the passengers unusual requirements. So, yeah I agree with other responders that it is a very subjective thing, but trying does not hurt.

Answer 5

Depends on the airline, however if you could have hit a call button and gotten the same without having to pay for it first, then anyone should be free to grab drinks and snacks that are in the corresponding area in the plane.

On long flights from US to UAE, it was common for stewards to only come out for meal delivery times, trash pickup or make more coffee. The rest of the time they hung out in the back or sides and people were free to stretch and grab snacks and drinks. I have yet to see anyone get chewed out for doing it.