American Airlines Extends Restriction on Alcohol Sales in Economy Class

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Skift Take

With the continued increase of unruly traveler behaviors, airlines are taking matters into their own hands. But is this injuring them financially? And who’s to say only passengers in the main cabin can act up?

Ruthy Muñoz

Following the extension of the federal mask mandate, American is suspending alcohol service in economy class through January 2022, the provider verified in an e-mail to Skift on Thursday.

The announcement was initially relayed to flight attendants through an internal memo on Thursday early morning seen by Skift. The present suspension of alcohol sales in economy class was set to end in September however will now remain in location until January 18, 2022, the memo stated.

Alcohol is mostly thought to play a part in much of the disturbances developed by passengers on board aircrafts. The concern has actually been controversial given that airlines generate healthy profits from alcohol sales.

For more on the business of alcohol for airline companies, checked out Skift: The Tricky Business of Selling Alcohol on Planes

But the current spate of bad habits on planes has raised fresh issues about guests being drunk in-flight.

“We are doing all we can to assist produce a safe environment for our team and customers onboard our airplane,” stated Stacey Frantz, a senior manager for in-flight service, policy, and treatments in the internal American memo.

The memo stated it continues to deal with the Federal Aviation Administration to no longer offer “to-go” alcohol at its bases in Dallas, Fort-Worth, and Charlotte.

To-go alcohol is a brand-new pandemic pattern. Alcohol is served in a plastic cup at airports around the nation, allowing travelers to take their adult drinks with them in the terminal and boarding areas.

As of Thursday, the FAA has actually released fines to rowdy flyers totaling $1 million.