In March 2020, Southwest Airlines suspended alcoholic beverages on flights. The airline announced that this month plans to bring the service back.
Beginning on February 16, beer, wine and hard liquor will be offered again.
“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,” said Tony Roach, Vice President Customer Experience and Customer Relations.
On Southwest flights of 176 miles or more, Southwest will add tonic water, apple juice, Coke Zero, Dr. Pepper, hot tea, and hot cocoa. These beverage options join the current offerings of Coke, Diet Coke, 7 Up, water, ginger ale, seltzer water, orange juice, cranberry cocktail juice, and coffee.
Beverages available for on-board purchase will include: Miller Lite ($6), Blue Moon ($7), Lagunitas IPA ($7), sparkling wine ($6), chardonnay ($6), cabernet sauvignon ($6), vodka ($7), lime vodka ($7), Jack Daniels ($7), Wild Turkey ($7), Bacardi Rum ($7), and Tequila ($7).
Southwest Airlines say that customers may redeem any Southwest Drink Coupon that was set to expire in 2020 or 2021 for an alcohol beverage through Dec. 31, 2022.
United Airlines resumed sales of hard liquor on their flights in November.
Delta Air Lines started serving beer and wine to First Class and Delta Comfort+ customers on domestic flights in July of 202.0. The airline added alcohol sales back to the main cabin on some domestic flights in April 2021.
American Airlines is the only one of the four largest US carriers that has not resumed alcohol sales. American Airlines hasn’t set a date for the return of alcohol in its main cabins.
Incidents of unruly passenger behavior grew during the pandemic. In-flight situations involving alcohol were among some of the more serious cases of unruly passenger behaviors.
Last year was the worst on record for unruly passenger behavior. Early in 2021, the FAA announced a “zero tolerance” policy for unruly passenger behavior that skips warnings or counseling and goes directly to penalties, which can include heavy fines and jail time.
