L B
I can confirm what you have stated is the norm.
I travel frequently on business but only in the economy cabin on several airlines.
Drinks for the meal have to be taken with the pre-meal drinks service.
I often wondered on 12 hours flights why they do not have the time to offer drinks with the meals.
The seating capacity in the economy cabins seems to be shrinking now they put more premium seats in the aircraft, I guess the 747's must be down to well less than 200 economy seats now.