Following Southwest Airlines: No Inflight Service on All Flights, American Airlines has announced they’ll reducing inflight service onboard all their flights effective Friday March 27, 2020. The airline will be making significant changes broken down by flights either under/over 2,200 miles for the changes.

Per American Airlines,

For all flights shorter than 2,200 miles (typically less than 4 1/2 hours):

• Alcohol will not be available in Main Cabin. Alcohol will be available on request in first class.
• Beverages available on request and limited to water, canned beverages or juice.
• No snacks or food for purchase will be served.
• Meals will not be offered in first class.

For all flights longer than 2,200 miles (typically more than 4 1/2 hours), including transcontinental and flights to Hawaii:

• Alcohol will not be served in Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra except on long-haul international flights. Alcohol will be available in first class.
• Other Main Cabin beverages will be served as usual.
• No snacks or food for purchase will be served. Main Cabin meals will be served on long-haul international flights.
• First and business class meals will be served on one tray versus in courses.

American will also suspend predeparture beverage service on all flights.

American will temporarily close most Admirals Club lounges, but will maintain front desk customer service at large U.S. airports and at London’s Heathrow Airport. These changes go into effect beginning Thursday, March 26.

To encourage social distancing, gate agents may reassign seats to create more space between customers beginning March 24. Once on board — provided there aren’t any aircraft weight or balance restrictions — customers can move to another seat within their ticketed cabin subject to availability. American will also block 50% of all middle seats and all seats adjacent to Flight Attendant jump seats on every flight.

Bottom Line

As you can see these measures aren’t as drastic as Southwest Airlines who is eliminating all inflight service. For American Airlines, we see domestic first class meals eliminated, no snacks or food for purchase, and the removal of alcohol in the Main Cabin.

What’s interesting is that American Airlines is still choosing to serve alcohol in their premium cabins, but removing it from the Main Cabin. It’s almost as if they should of made the removal of alcohol from the entire aircraft if they feel this is a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What are your thoughts on the latest inflight service changes from American Airlines which go into place this Friday. Feel free to share in the comments below.