Southwest to bring alcohol back on flights, citing customer demand
On Feb. 16, the airline will restore alcoholic beverages for purchase on most of its flights
Southwest Airlines stock will see short-term struggle, expert says
Summit Global Investments CIO David Harden on airline stocks and earnings.
Southwest Airlines Co. is bringing back in-flight alcohol sales after holding off for months to tamp down on disruptive passengers.
On Feb. 16, the airline will restore alcoholic beverages for purchase on most of its flights of 176 miles or more for the first time since March 2020, when it restricted food and beverage options early in the pandemic.
"Customers have expressed a desire for more beverage options," Tony Roach, vice president customer experience and customer relations, said in a statement.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ADDING NEW FARE OPTION IN 2022
While some other carriers resumed selling alcohol last year, Southwest has taken a slower approach. The airline said in May 2021 that it would delay offering alcoholic beverages again, citing an industry-wide uptick in unruly passengers at the time.
A Southwest Airlines plane takes off for flight. The company is dealing with cancellation issues for nearly a week in October 2021. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee / AP Images)
Southwest said in January that it was considering bringing back alcohol in the spring. A spokesman said Thursday that the decision was driven by customer feedback, and that logistics and supply chain details came together to allow for an earlier resumption.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The union that represents Southwest flight attendants said the move is "unsafe and irresponsible."
"TWU Local 556 is outraged at Southwest Airlines’ resumption of alcohol sales," Lyn Montgomery, president of the union, said in a statement. "We have adamantly and unequivocally informed management that resuming sales of alcohol while the mask mandate is in place has the great potential to increase customer non-compliance and misconduct issues."
A Southwest spokesman declined to comment on the union’s remarks.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 11: A Southwest Airlines employee helps a passenger to check in at a counter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on October 11, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Disruptive and sometimes violent behavior by passengers has become more frequent in the past year as travelers returned from a pandemic-induced hiatus. The Federal Aviation Administration and flight attendants groups have said that alcohol played a role in many incidents.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
American Airlines Group Inc., which also opted not to resume alcohol sales in its economy cabins last year, said it still hasn’t set a date to bring it back, although it does offer alcohol in premium cabins.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: A Southwest Airlines airplane taxies from a gate at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)
"We will continue to evaluate the situation and work closely with the union that represents our flight attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and medical experts on this process to determine when we will return to full service in the main cabin," the airline said in a statement Thursday.