As of Monday, Fort Worth-based American Airlines has resumed the sale of adult beverages onboard its flights. The airline and others had ceased serving alcohol beginning in March 2020 during the pandemic.
As reported by NBC, a statement from American Airlines read that starting on April 18, 2022, the airline would begin to slowly reintroduce items for passengers to purchase in its main domestic flight cabins.
Air travelers would be able to buy not just beer and wine, but also liquor on flights that were over 250 miles long. First-class passengers would receive complimentary beverages as well as those flying internationally.
American Airlines and Dallas-based Southwest Airlines are the last large U.S. airlines to reverse the decision not to serve alcohol in the main cabin. Southwest began to serve alcohol again in February.
In the statement, American Airlines said customers had expressed that having the option to purchase adult beverages was an essential component of the air travel experience.
The airline has stated that it is not raising the prices for these beverages from their pre-pandemic level. Beer will still cost $8, while wine and spirits will cost $9. The spirits served will include Aviation Gin, rum, vodka, and whiskey.
Snacks will cost in the $4 to $6 range. In addition to those in first-class, those in the Main Cabin Extra, which provides extra legroom, will also receive complimentary adult beverages, just like before pandemic restrictions.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area airlines had earlier considered serving alcohol again in 2021 but decided to wait due to “unruly passenger behavior.”
The return of alcoholic drinks on flights coincides with federal mask mandates on public transportation coming to an end. The public transportation mask mandate was in place for two years.