Qantas Is Now Opening Its Onboard Economy Wine Bar From Midday So You Can Say Cheers to a Free Drink Earlier

There's no one way to choose which airline to fly with, or what time to take to the skies. Pure and simple necessity might leave you without options anyway. But if you're the kind of traveller who loves saying cheers to your flight with a wine or beer in your hand, Qantas has poured out some great news just as the holidays are about to hit. That free drink that everyone usually scores from 4pm in economy on the carrier's routes? It's now kicking in at midday.

So, effective immediately, travellers flying with Qantas on all domestic and regional flights from 12pm onwards will be offered a complimentary beverage. Your options: a red or white wine, with Aussie drops getting the nod, or a One Fifty Lashes Premium Pale Ale.

This is the first time that the Australian airline is bringing forward the opening time for its onboard economy wine bar — which, of course, isn't a part of the plane where everyone hangs out with a drink in their hand, but the name that Qantas has given its vino-slinging offering.

Your drink will come with either lunch or snacks, depending on the time that you're flying — or even dinner, because the free beverage still applies after 4pm.

Fancy a quiet sip by yourself? Remember that Qantas also now lets you pay for neighbour-free seating, purchasing the middle seat so you have a gap between you and the next person.

For more information about Qantas' onboard dining options, head to the airline's website.