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Southwest Asks Flyers to Leave Alcohol at Home

As airlines reduce their in-cabin services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines are seeing a new, unwelcome trend starting: flyers carrying on and drinking their own alcohol. As a result, Southwest Airlines is asking passengers to leave their alcohol at home, instead of smuggling it on in lieu of on-board service.

Citing health concerns and preventing the spread of the novel Coronavirus, airlines have notably cut back on their in-flight services. While it is forcing some companies to get creative about their business, flyers are also getting creative about how to have an in-flight cocktail. USA Today reports Southwest Airlines is asking flyers not to bring or consume their own alcohol on board.

Flight Attendants to Start Announcing Prohibition on Self-Service Alcohol

According to an internal memo obtained by USA Today, flight attendants have complained to managers that flyers are bringing their own alcohol aboard flights. Under federal law, flyers cannot bring aboard their own alcohol with the intention of pouring a drink. All alcohol must be served by the “certificate holder operating the aircraft.”

As a result, the airline will add a new announcement during the pre-flight speech. In addition to reminding passengers that smoking and vaping are not allowed aboard aircraft, attendants will also tell flyers: “It is also prohibited to consume alcohol that you’ve brought.”

What happens when a flyer gets caught bringing their own booze? The memo seen by USA Today suggests that flight attendants should remind passengers about the policy, and request that they do not consume the beverage aboard the flight. It is unclear if new or repeat offenders will be reported to law enforcement by Southwest employees.

“While there is information on Southwest.com and announcements are made in the gate area, some customers may not know about this regulation that prohibits them from consuming their own alcohol,” the memo from Southwest manager of inflight safety, standards and regulatory compliance Kari Kriesel wrote in the memo, according to USA Today. “Refrain from confiscating sealed containers, and allow customers to stow those for the remainder of the flight.”

In-Flight Alcohol May Not Return Anytime Soon

Although the issue is becoming a problem, it may only get worse as airlines delay resuming a normal level of service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As airlines mandate social distancing and wearing face coverings throughout the process, they continue to cut in-flight services to reduce contact between flight attendants and passengers.

Other airlines are also noticing this trend, much to their frustration. A spokesperson from American Airlines confirmed to the newspaper that they have seen an uptick in incidents where passengers consume their own alcohol brought on board.

34 Comments
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MRM August 12, 2020

There's apparently a lot of folks that have nothing to do but complain. This law's been around for decades - it's just that until recently most people were smart enough not to bother breaking it. This same entitlement/arrogance is why we STILL have to have the no-smoking reminder each flight - because the new idiotic response is "it's just water! in our Juul!!!!" Just dumb.

O

I'm a little shocked that so many of you apparently are clueless as the federal regulations and are "blaming the airline". I am not shocked that you can't fly without booze. Based on what I have seen on Flyertalk we really need AA board because some posters can't apparently stay dry for more than half an hour LOL!

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jamesteroh August 7, 2020

It's a federal law. I'm sure we'll see a lot of passengers making their own to go to drink and putting them in their travel mugs at lounges. I haven't flown Southwest in years but would want a couple drinks in me to tolerate the FA's corny jokes. What I don't understand is Delta's policy. They'll serve beer and wine but nothing else. How are you more likely to get Covid from vodka than you are beer?

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ESPECIALROB August 7, 2020

Yikes! I thought I'd never see prohibition return again. Not good.

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Debrian Travels August 6, 2020

If you can't get through a domestic flight, any flight for that matter, without a drink, you might have a drinking problem. As others have noted to those whining, this is a FEDERAL REGULATION, not an airline policy. Don't like it? Write your Congresscritter.