American Airlines is bringing back the sale of alcoholic beverages on board its flights, according to CNBC. Beginning April 18, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on the airline’s domestic flights, as well as on some of its short haul international flights.
The date coincides with the expiration of the federal transportation mask mandate that is currently in place. The sale of alcoholic beverages was one of the services that stopped amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. However, airlines have been bringing back in-flight services as air travel has been resuming to full swing.
The last of the major United States carriers to bring back spirits, American Airlines has delayed the move for nearly a year as airlines have been experiencing an increase in disorderly behavior aboard aircraft.
Last month, an unruly passenger on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC tried to force his way into the cockpit, leading to a flight attendant hitting him in the head with a coffee pot to subdue him.
In October, a passenger traveling from New York to Orange County, CA was arrested for physically assaulting a female flight attendant, punching her in the face twice. These are just two among a slew of COVID-19 era incidents that have been occurring on commercial flights at an alarming rate.
“Sales will be available on American flights longer than 250 miles. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary on American’s long-haul international flights and in first class, as it is on other major airlines,” said CNBC.
Unlike some other airlines, however, American says it will not raise the prices on its spirits. The airline is also planning to resume the sale of in-flight food, and will be launching contactless ordering before the year’s is out.
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