Southwest Airlines has removed alcohol onboard since the pandemic began, and we recently shared Southwest Airlines Updates Inflight Beverage Service. However, the airline is already backpedaling on this and will be suspending alcohol service indefinitely.
To recap, here’s what was planned for next month:
Beginning Thursday, June 24, on flights to/from U.S. Mainland and Hawaii:
- Three beer options and one red wine option will be available for purchase.
- Miller Lite ($6), Dos Equis ($6), and Blue Moon ($7) o Red Wine: Carmenet Cabernet Sauvignon ($6)
Beginning Thursday, June 24, on all flights 251 miles and more:
- Regular coffee will be available.
Beginning Wednesday, July 14, on all flights 251 miles and more:
- Southwest will provide an enhanced beverage service with all of the above options, plus:
- Orange Juice, Cranberry Cocktail
- Mossel Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay ($6)
- Deep Eddy Vodka ($7)
- Jack Daniels Whiskey($7)
However, due to multiple passenger disruptions onboard, Southwest Airlines has decided to axe bringing back alcohol onboard indefinitely. That means you’ll continue to only have a choice of Coke, Diet Coke, 7UP, or water onboard all Southwest Airlines flights.
Per Southwest Airlines,
Given the recent uptick in industry-wide incidents of passenger disruptions inflight, we have made the decision to pause the previously announced re-start of alcohol service onboard June (Hawaii flights) and July.  We will proceed with expanding our selection of soft drinks and coffee as planned. We realize this decision may be disappointing for some Customers, but we feel this is the right decision at this time in the interest of the Safety and comfort of all Customers and Crew onboard.Â
My guess would be once masks onboard end, only at that time will Southwest Airlines bring back alcohol. We can assume that all expired drink coupons from last year will continue to be used once alcohol is finally brought back.
The airline has never allowed passengers to bring their own alcohol, so BYOB isn’t an option either. Southwest Airlines is the only major airline to suspend alcohol due to passenger conduct, so it will be interesting to see if others follow.
What are your thoughts on Southwest Airlines backpedaling on brining back alcohol onboard its flights? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.Â
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Well this is just nonsensical. Unruly passengers means no one can have a beer on their way to vacation?
I’m not a drinker, but I think Southwest is placing blame on the wrong trigger. How many of these “encounters” were about mask-Nazis vs. overconsumption of alcohol? I’m betting the number of drunk passengers (who gets drunk off two drinks?) is minimal. But let’s penalize everyone instead of just those who are unruly or instead of going after the CDC for ridiculous mask mandates.
Every other airline is serving alcohol. This is pathetic.