Duty Free inflight onboard | UAL-UA | United Airlines

United States USA

UAL-UA | United Airlines

Duty Free on Delta and American Airlines was stopped by these carriers two years ago and United Airlines have now announced a similar termination for 2017, so you can no longer buy cigarettes, perfumes, gifts or liquors on board these airlines.

Nobody knows why they terminated inflight shopping, it was not announced and this leaves you no alternative but to shop in the airport, before you fly.

Duty Free on arrival is not allowed in the USA, where these airlines operate most of their routes to, so airport shopping on departure is your only option. For domestic flights within the US, or for international flights which are pre-cleared for US Customs & Immigration, just as before, Duty Free is not sold on board. You can also shop at the airport in America when you depart.

It seems that many airlines now prefer the revenues they receive from online check-in or ancillaries, like baggage fees and that the bulky duty free catalogue could become a thing of the past. Those retaining on board flight sales are moving to online pre-order sites, or shopping videos in the seat-back screen, saving weight and paper. To search for global airport shopping bargains around the world, search above and hit “go”.

*United quoted their reason as 'falling sales and a limited product range that cannot compete with airport stores'.