Alcohol sales to return to Southwest flights after nearly two years
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Southwest Airlines will resume alcohol sales on most of its flights this month after nearly two years, a pause it extended last spring because of a surge in disruptive passengers.
The move further heightened tension between the airline and its 16,000-member flight attendants' union, which called the resumption of alcohol sales "unsafe and irresponsible."
The Dallas-based airline originally paused alcohol and other services in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Last week, the airline's COO said the carrier would likely bring alcohol sales back late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter.
Starting Feb. 16, Southwest will sell alcohol, including beer, wine, rum, tequila and vodka on flights at least 176 miles long. It is also said it will also add tonic water, apple juice, Coke Zero, Dr. Pepper, hot tea and hot cocoa to current lineup of non-alcoholic beverages.
All U.S. airlines slashed onboard service during the pandemic and food and other beverage services are starting to make a comeback.
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines scaled back some recent service expansions under pressure from flight attendants unions, which argued it would increase the amount of time passengers would not be wearing face masks, which are federally mandated on board, though they can be lowered when drinking or eating. The mask mandate is in effect through at least March 18.
Southwest is facing similar pressure from its flight attendants' union, TWU Local 556.
"We have adamantly and unequivocally informed management that resuming sales of alcohol while the mask mandate is in place has the great potential to increase customer non-compliance and misconduct issues," Lyn Montgomery, president of Southwest flight attendants' union.
Southwest and American Airlines last May said they would hold off on plans bringing back alcohol, in American's case to domestic and short-haul international coach, because of disruptive passenger behavior that in some cases included physical assault against crew members.
"Customers have expressed a desire for more beverage options, so we're delighted to restore additional on-board offerings as a part of the Southwest Hospitality that our Customers know and love," Tony Roach, Southwest's vice president of customer experience and customer relations said in a statement.
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Dumb idea..
I don't think so. Pan Am had it right. I want it all back from complete meals to stewardesses in corsets & heels.
Air travel was once a pleasant experience.
what a misogynistic comment.
What a taunting, hateful comment
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Surprised?
I have to wonder; will they hire transvestites or force 'uncooperative' males to wear that uniform or be fired?
No, it was not in any way.
People really need to just stop labeling things they don't like in order to put people into their already-decided pigeonholes.
I don't think the pigeons have anything to worry about.
That's nice and all, but I wasn't speaking about pigeons.
Thank you.
I could maybe see alcohol on international flights but there really is no need for it on domestic flights which are at the most 4 or five hours. If you can't control your need to drink liquor for 4 or 5 hours you need help
Sometimes a passenger is a nervous flier and a drink helps calm them down. My father had to fly for business and was a nervous wreck every time. He was not a drinker so we had to medicate him before he boarded.
Sometimes it cannot be avoided. I have been on more than a few flights I didn't want to be for business or family; most of the time in bad weather.
Luckily I am the leave me alone and the world won't end type. Which is why I always get the chat-a-holic, touchy, feely types sitting next to me on flights. Someone out there wants the world to end very badly.
I have moved seats on flights more than once. Thankfully the flight attendants were usually very sympathetic to my situation; and switched me next to passengers that were doing their best to be comatose for the entire flight. Lucky bastards.
My doctor prescribes me exactly 2 (not sure if it is Ambien or Xanax) a few times a year when I fly. 6 if I am going to be on a bus tour. Half is usually plenty, so I definitely understand your dad. Not sure if a drink would even work for me so I have not tried it but I really understand someone that may want one before or during a flight.
If someone having a drink to calm their nerves bothers you so much maybe you should not be flying.
He had to as a regional manager. It was just a mild tranquiler. Yankee Foxtrot Charlie.
The next time I fly I'm asking my doctor for some Xanax. It's not the flying. It's the non-smoking airports and the boarding and unloading of passengers. And I hate people that fly
My issue has to do with the people that fly also. The ones on the flight are taking all my air, especially the person in front of me that reclines their seat all the way back!
I'm like your dad. I'll fly, but I've never been a fan. I can appreciate a person taking something to knock the edge off.
There's nothing to be nervous about. Unless you hear the phrase "terrain, Pull up" or the plane becomes inverted. Then that might be cause for concern.
LOL! We probably shouldn't fly together. We'll feed into each other's irritations
I think we can all agree that we don't want people that are terrified to fly and cannot manage it (especially when aggressive). Or worse the idiots that get aggressive when they don't want to follow the rules. Thankfully I have never encountered one of those on a flight. Standing in line for a flight yes- luckily enough passengers were there to make sure the individual couldn't get violent; and forced security to remove them. Poor ticket checker was a nervous wreck; and received apologies from every passenger that boarded. It wasn't her fault he wasn't booked in first class; and had to settle for business. He should have gone straight to his company that booked the flight for him.
I just wanted to point out there are degrees; and most people can manage it. I just wish I could drink (stomach ulcers); or take sedatives- they make me paranoid.
Interesting, I wonder if medical marijuana would be effective in taking the edge off when people fly when other options are not viable, as long as the plane was stocked with Doritos that is. Maybe airports where it is legal will start selling brownies.
Why do you hate me?
What have I done (beside occasionally taking a trip in an airplane)-- that offends you so much?
I don't hate you specifically I would just prefer to have the plane to myself. I really can't stand are the people who are too cheap to pay for their luggage so they find all the bags in their house that can fit in the storage bin and under the seat. And then they take up so much and time getting those bags situated and I end up waiting for these inconsiderate people to get out of my way because I. Need. A. Cigarette. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is no "need" for it anywhere.
That's completely beside the point.
Southwest Airlines will resume alcohol sales
I'll drink to that.
I’m not a big fan of drinking anything on flights, since it just leads to trying to pee in a tiny bathroom that is getting kicked around by high altitude wind currents. Don’t care if others do though.
I would limit myself to a glass of wine if having dinner.
"To alcohol. The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems." --- Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Good. We could all use a stiff drink.
Some of us need more than one
One is usually enough for me
Genius!
I actually gave that to an HR manager that told me I was driving her to drink. She got fired and I retired.
Doesn't matter whether It's First class on Qatar or no frills on Spirit Airlines.
I usually sleep the whole flight.
... wish I could do that. one son flies so much, if he doesn't get a first class upgrade automatically, he pays for it with his flight points.
These days I drive. The bride is retired now. It's easier to pack what you want into the car.
Smoke what you want, when you want to etc. Free nightcap in a decent hotel while visiting the kids
and leaving when we want to...
that's how I travel now. I've got the time. after the whole flight ordeal being dealt with, I can be hundreds of miles down the road at a fraction of the cost, without any type of luggage restrictions.
That's fine if you're not crossing an ocean. And I don't want to drive the next time I go to Las Vegas
I presume that you mean an ocean of goobers based upon your proximity to vegas. common sense prevails when comparing time, convenience, and cost.
It would take forever to drive to Las Vegas and then there's the parking cost.
We are trying to plan a trip to the Bahamas and that involves a plane ride. I'm not getting on a boat
boat = 24/7 buffet, all you can drink ticket, casino on board.
I get sea sick