DRAFT Magazine

Yesterday, we took you on a 35,000-foot tour of the beer choices available on some of the world’s biggest airlines. Today, we’re deadheading it around some of the smaller ones. Follow us to such great heights, preferably with a beer in hand.

Air Canada
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec
Slogan: “Go far.”
Why we love it: Air Canada’s planes are equipped with XM radio (XM Canadian radio, but XM radio nonetheless), television screens and music ports, and interactive games in every seat in both business and economy. They also offer USB ports to charge electronics so you can start playing with your handheld mp3 player/latest iThing immediately upon exiting the aircraft. Plus, February 6th marked the fourth humanitarian flight to Haiti to deliver medical supplies.
Most memorable moment: Air Canada was the official airline of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, responsible for transporting over 2,700 athletes to and from the games. Twenty Air Canada employees participated in the running of the torch. Oh, Canada.
Beers: Kokanee Beer, Budweiser, Bud Light, Alexander Keith’s
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Alaska Air
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Slogan: “North of expected.”
Why we love it: This airline has a very feel-good background, founded on the principles of “can do” and “neighbor helping neighbor.” The airline claims these are the Alaskan way. And we like that they offer a little Alaskan flavor on their beer menu.
Most memorable moment: This airline took part in the historic Berlin Airlift in 1948, risking life and limb and airplane alike, and also helped to bring thousands of Yemenite Jews to Israel for their safety from Arab unrest.
Beers: Alaskan Amber, Corona, Miller Light, Budweiser.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Frontier Airlines
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Slogan: “A whole different animal.”
Why we love it: This airline is a relative newbie (established in 1994), and under the branding and ownership of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is a leading low-cost airline in the U.S.  In 1993, execs from the original Frontier Airlines as well as newcomers from Republic Airways gave Frontier a fresh start. Codeshare agreements with Midwest Airlines (also owned by Republic Airways) means a consistent in-flight experience between the two airlines (as well as Chautauqua Airlines, Lynx Aviation, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Shuttle America) and access to 70 different destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Costa Rica. Frontier has grown in size and popularity as various airlines have cut-back or disintegrated altogether over the nearly 100 years of commercial air service our fine country has enjoyed.
Most memorable moment: Almost all of the aircrafts that Frontier flies feature an animal on the tale of the plane. And every one of these critters has a name: Hector the Sea Otter and Jack the Rabbit, for example.
Beers: Miller Genuine, Miller Light Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Newcastle
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Four

Virgin Blue
Headquarters: Queensland, Australia
Slogan: “Keeping the air fair.” “Now there’s an idea.”
Why we love it: Virgin Blue is the second largest airline in Australia and another low-cost option.
Most memorable moment: Virgin pioneered another unique airline that has received a lot of media attention, Virgin Galactic. With Galactic, a flier pays more or less his or her gross earnings for 15 fiscal years (if you’re a magazine intern) to fly to the earth’s uppermost atmosphere and enjoy zero gravity, spectacular views, and an incredible chance to see the earth where only a handful of others have had the opportunity to go. Flights cost $200,000, so it would be wise to begin saving now.
Beers: Victoria Bitters, Crown Lager, Pure Blonde
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Allegiant Airlines
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
Slogan: N/A
Why we love it: Originally dubbed WestJet Express but required to relinquish the name to an existing airline with the same name, Allegiant was rebranded in 1997. Allegiant focuses on flights to airports that have limited service from mainline air carriers.
Most memorable moment: This airline is so new that currently their most memorable moment seems to be opening their doors. But you can only go up from there, right?
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

WestJet
Headquarters: Alberta, Canada
Slogan: “We succeed because I care.”
Why we love it: This airline, founded in 1996, hopes to be a leading commercial airline by 2016. Like so many new airlines, the craft comes equipped with a number of conveniences, including LiveTV.
Most memorable moment: In 2006, Westjet was accused of — and admitted to — using various tools of espionage to gain valuable company information regarding Alaskan Airlines business practices. The company issued a formal apology and gave $10 million to various children’s charities.
Beers: Molson, Coors Light
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): One

Hooters Air
Headquarters: Alberta, Canada
Slogan: Too busy staring to ask.
Why we love it: This airline, founded in 2003, flew its last run in 2006. It was advertised as a low-fair airline, the brain-child of the fine folks at Hooters (not the ones in orange, but the men behind the women of Hooters) and was targeted to the golf-and-business crowd. While the airline is out of service and could not be reached for comment, reviews on popular travel sites claimed the service wasn’t as lowbrow as you’d expect — in fact, most passengers seemed pleasantly surprised by Hooters Air. The increased fuel prices following Hurricane Katrina were the demise of the brand, but it was sure nice while it lasted.
Most memorable moment: The stewardesses of Hooters Air wore — what else? –the official Hooter’s garb: orange hotpants and bosom-baring tanks, in which they performed all of the typical duties of a flight attendant… but just looked better doing it.
Beers: If we knew, we’d be raising a toast.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): N/A

– Mariah Beckman is an editorial intern at DRAFT Magazine.