Generally in my experience with international, you get one or two alcoholic beverages served with each meal (even Spirit airlines will give you a glass of red/w

Generally in my experience with international, you get one or two alcoholic beverages served with each meal (even Spirit airlines will give you a glass of red/white which I thought was impressive considering how stingy they are), and I think the flight attendants are allowed considerably more leeway on handing out free drinks. I've only paid for drinks on international a handful of times. International flights are also significantly more profitable than short haul, so that might have some impact too.