TUI is ending complimentary alcohol on long-haul economy flights from 1st November 2026, a change that includes every flight to Florida. Passengers will still get a free beer or wine with their main meal, but any drinks after that will need to be paid for. Anyone who's already booked a TUI Florida holiday before the change was announced will get £12.50 per person as a goodwill gesture.
Article Summary
- What's changing: from 1st November 2026, TUI economy passengers on long-haul flights (including Florida) get one complimentary beer or wine with their main meal, then pay for further alcoholic drinks
- What stays free: soft drinks, hot drinks, juice and water remain complimentary throughout the flight
- Compensation: customers who booked before the change was announced will receive £12.50 per person as a goodwill refund
- Premium cabin: unaffected, with complimentary alcohol continuing as before
- Who this affects: economy passengers flying long-haul with TUI, including Florida
Compare TUI Florida holiday packages here
Read on for how this compares to premium cabin, what it means if you've already booked, and what it changes about budgeting for your Florida trip.
What's Changing With TUI's Drinks Service
TUI has announced that from 1st November 2026 it's adjusting the food and drink service for economy passengers on all long-haul flights, and that includes every flight out to Florida. Soft drinks, hot drinks, juice and water stay complimentary for the whole flight, and you'll still get one beer or wine included with your main meal. After that, if you want another drink, you'll be paying for it.
Here's the wording straight from TUI's own site
"Complimentary meals are included with all our long-haul flights. Menus vary depending on your destination and flight time, and all meals are followed by a hot drink. We'll also pass through the cabin with bar and meal services where you can pick from complimentary hot drinks, soft drinks, juice and water, or purchase an alcoholic drink."
- TUI, July 2026
Read the full details on TUI's official announcement here.
Economy vs Premium Cabin Drinks Comparison
If you're weighing up whether to upgrade for your Florida flight, here's how the two cabins now compare.
| Cabin | Soft & Hot Drinks | Alcohol | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Complimentary throughout | One complimentary beer or wine with your main meal, then pay as you go | Families and couples happy to budget separately for extra drinks |
| Premium Cabin | Complimentary throughout | Complimentary throughout the flight | Anyone who'd rather have drinks included and not think about it |
TUI Onboard Drinks Prices
TUI has published a full inflight drinks menu, so if you want to see exactly what's on offer and at what price before you fly, you can view TUI's full inflight drinks menu here.
As a rough guide, a 200ml can of wine or prosecco runs from £6.80 up to £8.60 depending on what you go for, and beer cans are £5.85. Spirits come in two tiers - classic options like Smirnoff, Bacardi and Jack Daniel's are £6.50, while premium spirits such as Grey Goose and Johnnie Walker Black Label are £7.00. There are also 2-for-£12.50 offers on both the premium spirits and the wine, and this is where it gets interesting for anyone who's already booked. £12.50 is exactly what TUI is offering as your goodwill refund, so it lines up neatly with one of these deals rather than just roughly covering it. Keep in mind mixers aren't included in any of these prices, so a soda water or tonic will cost you another £2.30, and branded mixers like Coca-Cola or Fanta are £2.70.
| Drink | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wine or Prosecco (200ml) | £6.80-£8.60 | La Vieille Ferme from £6.80, Mionetto Prosecco £8.60. 2 for £12.50, or 3 La Vieille Ferme for £17 |
| Beer (can) | £5.85 | Stella Artois, Budweiser, Brooklyn Stonewall IPA. 2 for £10, or 3 for £14.50 |
| Classic spirits | £6.50 | Smirnoff Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Jack Daniel's, Bacardi White Rum. 2 for £11.50 |
| Premium spirits | £7.00 | Grey Goose, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Whitley Neill Gin, Au Vodka. 2 for £12.50 - matches your refund amount |
| Mixer | £2.30-£2.70 | Tonic and soda water £2.30, Coca-Cola and Fanta £2.70. Charged separately from spirits |
Prices taken from TUI's published inflight menu and subject to change - check the linked menu for the latest figures before you fly.
What This Means If You've Already Booked
If you'd already booked a TUI Florida holiday before this change was announced, TUI says you'll get £12.50 per person as a goodwill refund. It's worth adding that to your account details and keeping an eye out for it landing, since TUI hasn't specified exactly when these will be paid out.
How This Changes Your Florida Holiday Planning
This isn't a huge shift, but it does change how you might budget for the flight out. If you were relying on a couple of free drinks to get the holiday started, you'll now want to factor in a bit of onboard spending money, or just stick to the one included drink and wait until you land. For families flying with kids, it's largely irrelevant since the soft drinks and juice stay free throughout.
If you haven't booked yet and drinks matter to you, it might be worth comparing what TUI offers against other package options before you commit. You can check TUI's current Florida package prices here to see how it stacks up.
Practical Things To Know Before You Fly
- You'll still get one complimentary beer or wine with your main meal in economy
- Soft drinks, hot drinks, juice and water remain free for the whole flight
- Additional alcoholic drinks will need to be purchased onboard from 1st November 2026
- Existing bookings made before the announcement qualify for a £12.50 per person goodwill refund
- Premium cabin passengers aren't affected and keep complimentary alcohol throughout
If you're weighing up Florida holiday options more broadly, our Walt Disney World offers guide for UK guests is worth a look too.
See what's available for your Florida dates with TUI here >
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TUI Alcohol Policy: Your Questions Answered
Does the TUI alcohol change affect Florida flights?
Yes. This applies to all TUI long-haul economy flights, and Florida routes are included.
When does the TUI drinks policy change start?
From 1st November 2026.
Will I still get a free drink with my meal?
Yes. Economy passengers still get one complimentary beer or wine with their main meal. It's only additional drinks beyond that which need to be purchased.
Are soft drinks still free on TUI long-haul flights?
Yes. Soft drinks, hot drinks, juice and water remain complimentary throughout the flight.
Does this affect premium cabin passengers?
No. Premium cabin passengers continue to receive complimentary alcoholic drinks throughout the flight.
Will I get compensation if I've already booked?
Yes. TUI is offering £12.50 per person as a goodwill refund to customers who booked before the change was announced.
How much will extra alcoholic drinks cost onboard?
Prices vary by drink. Beer cans are £5.85, classic spirits are £6.50, premium spirits are £7.00, and wine or prosecco ranges from £6.80 to £8.60 for a 200ml can. Mixers aren't included and cost extra.
