Overview
- TUI emailed customers on Thursday to say that from 1 November 2026 economy passengers on long‑haul flights will get one complimentary beer or wine with the main meal and must pay for any other alcoholic drinks.
- Customers with bookings for travel after that date will receive a £12.50 per person, each‑way goodwill refund, a sum many passengers on social media described as tiny and unacceptable.
- TUI stressed that soft drinks remain free and that Premium cabin travellers will continue to receive complimentary alcohol, presenting the move as a way to protect fares while expanding paid drink options.
- The announcement prompted widespread anger on Facebook pages run by travel companies, with some travellers saying the change could push them to book other airlines.
- The policy shift comes after reporting that TUI Airways ranked poorly for punctuality in 2025 and follows the company’s position that it prefers to operate delayed flights rather than cancel them to avoid larger customer disruption.