American Airlines will resume selling alcoholic beverages on domestic and short-haul international flights next month, a plan it delayed almost a year ago because of a surge in unruly passengers and attacks on crew members.
In March 2020, airlines stopped selling alcohol and stopped selling food due to the Pandemic. Over the past year, carriers have brought back many of those services.
Beer, wine and spirits will be sold in domestic coach cabins at American when the federal mask mandate expires on April 18. It's not clear if the requirement will be extended or ended by the Biden administration. Southwest Airlines began selling alcohol last month.
Flight attendant unions say that drinking and disagreements over the mask mandate have contributed to unruly behavior on flights.
There will be sales on American flights longer than 250 miles. Alcoholic beverages are free on American's long-haul international flights and in first class.
American and Southwest scrapped plans to sell alcohol again after a surge in disruptive passengers and attacks on crew, including a Southwest traveler who punched a flight attendant.
A spokeswoman told CNBC that American isn't raising prices compared with before. Aviation Gin, rum, vodka and whiskey will be $9. Wine is also $9. Beer is $8.
The buy-on-board food will start with chips and almonds on flights longer than 1,500 miles. Touchless ordering will be offered later this year.
Hot meals are back in first class on many domestic flights.
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