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Southwest Brings Alcohol Back to Flights After Two-Year Suspension
Vinepair ^ | Julia Larson

Posted on 02/04/2022 7:50:19 PM PST by nickcarraway

Southwest Airlines announced Feb. 4 that it intends to bring booze back to most flights for the first time since March 2020. The initial suspension was extended in May 2021 after a surge in unruly, disrespectful passengers.

Starting Feb. 16, beer, wine, rum, tequila, and vodka will be available for purchase on Southwest trips more than 176 miles long. The airline will also be expanding its non-alcoholic offerings, including tonic water, apple juice, Coke Zero, Dr. Pepper, hot tea and cocoa.

“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,” Tony Roach, Southwest’s vice president of customer experience and customer relations, said to CNBC.

Don't miss a drop! Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. you@email.com....

The Drop + VP Pro This announcement has amplified tensions between Southwest and the 16,000 members of its flight attendants’ union, who are claiming this move is “unsafe and irresponsible.” 2021 had the worst record for unruly passenger behavior, with the Federal Aviation Administration doling out $161,823 in fines to passengers for alcohol-related incidents.

Southwest is not the only airline to resume in-flight alcohol consumption in recent months. United Airlines started serving hard liquor in November 2021, while Delta Airlines resumed its beer and wine services for first class and Delta Comfort+ passengers in July 2020, and expanded the offering to its main cabin in April 2021.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airlines; alcohol; southwest; swa
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1 posted on 02/04/2022 7:50:19 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

This is a nice little profit center for the airlines. Glad it is coming back.


2 posted on 02/04/2022 7:51:56 PM PST by SamAdams76 (I am 24 days away from outliving John Hughes)
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To: nickcarraway

More reasons for mask lowering!


3 posted on 02/04/2022 7:52:38 PM PST by lightman (I am a binary Trinitarian. Deal with it!)
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To: lightman
More reasons for mask lowering!

My thoughts exactly. Nurse that beer. Or three. 🍻

4 posted on 02/04/2022 7:54:54 PM PST by Allegra
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To: nickcarraway

Tequila??? Who knew...

So glad I never knew.


5 posted on 02/04/2022 7:56:01 PM PST by VastRWCon (Fake News")
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To: nickcarraway

No brown liquors on that list. Seems racist.


6 posted on 02/04/2022 8:00:06 PM PST by ameribbean expat (Don't blame others for the road you're on. That's your own asphalt.)
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To: nickcarraway

Accompanied by a chorus of booze


7 posted on 02/04/2022 8:01:35 PM PST by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: nickcarraway
In '78 I was flying back to Lubbock from Dallas Love Field on Southwest.

A Sunday 8 AM take off.

Once in the air the stewardist offered me a free beer.

*What about the Sunday Blue law about serving before 12 noon?

**Honey, once we are in the air that does not apply.

I had three free beers for a 30 minute flight.

8 posted on 02/04/2022 8:12:15 PM PST by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken tfahat's for sure.)
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To: nickcarraway

About time, I need to take the edge off sitting in coach for 6 hours on trips to/from the mainland. In the good old days, would just have a water bottle half full of white wine.

Maybe limit the booze on flights from major cities with a lot of Amish travelers.


9 posted on 02/04/2022 8:23:31 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Let's go Brandon)
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To: doorgunner69
What? The Amish are very well be.. - oh, those Amish.
10 posted on 02/04/2022 8:27:20 PM PST by 17th Miss Regt
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To: nickcarraway

Woot! The story of SW Airlines is that originally the big carriers tried to stop them from flying when there were more gov regulations, but they offered free small bottles of booze on their intrastate flights.


11 posted on 02/04/2022 8:32:55 PM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: nickcarraway

I haven’t flown since last August. As I sat there with my mandatory mask on, the very attractive woman sitting next to me whipped out a boob and started breastfeeding her baby. She was perfectly dignified about it, and I was glad to not sit next to a hungry infant for that short flight. But still, that’s just weird. Her other child was as obnoxious as heck. Everyone pulling down their masks to eat and drink; what was the point?


12 posted on 02/04/2022 8:43:00 PM PST by cdcdawg (Everyone who disagrees with me is a Qtard blogger!!!!)
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To: cdcdawg

I guess it would have been the wrong time to take a pic of the resourceful Moms’ ‘titilating skills of family management.
Right?


13 posted on 02/04/2022 8:49:11 PM PST by lee martell
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To: nickcarraway

Expand the snacks to include lots of popcorn while watching drunk passengers get unruly again.


14 posted on 02/04/2022 9:41:11 PM PST by bgill (Which came first, the vax or the virus?)
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To: cdcdawg
Everyone pulling down their masks to eat and drink; what was the point?

I find it hilarious, not to mention an epic farce, as it makes complete fools of those who actually tolerate that nonsense.

15 posted on 02/04/2022 9:42:56 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: KC_Conspirator

It was a large bottle of booze actually. A 5th. For a short period of time, Southwest Airlines was the largest distributer of booze in Texas.


16 posted on 02/04/2022 9:56:14 PM PST by airplaneguy
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To: doorgunner69

6 hours with nothing to see.


17 posted on 02/04/2022 10:14:43 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (THE ISSUE IS NEVER THE ISSUE. THE REVOLUTION IS THE ISSUE.)
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To: cdcdawg

Mothers who have class cover their boob with a lightweight baby blanket or diaper when breastfeeding in public.

It’s usually the activists who insist on flashing everybody.


18 posted on 02/04/2022 10:18:41 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (THE ISSUE IS NEVER THE ISSUE. THE REVOLUTION IS THE ISSUE.)
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To: airplaneguy

A 5th? Gawd bless them.


19 posted on 02/04/2022 11:02:58 PM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: cdcdawg

Now, I think you missed a few details starting with “very attractive woman” & directly after, didn’t you?


20 posted on 02/04/2022 11:03:38 PM PST by Az Joe ("Scratch a Liberal, and a Fascist bleeds")
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