Southwest Has Cut Drink Service. Will Other Airlines Follow Suit?
Taylor Rains March 18, 2020
Until the Trump administration suspends domestic air travel, airlines are going to continue to operate flights, but they are taking extra precautions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Southwest Airlines, in particular, recently announced that–in addition to cutting flights by 20%–it would be suspending its inflight drink service beginning March 18.
According to Southwest spokesperson Brian Parrish, the airline is suspending the traditional drink service as a means to limit the contact between flight attendants and passengers. Originally, this was only going to occur on very short flights but has since expanded to all flights as of Wednesday.
On most flights, customers can still use the flight attendant call button to request an unopened can of water; however, on short flights under 250 miles, the cabin crews will not serve any drinks at all so they can instead focus on inflight hygiene and cleanliness. Pretzels will still be served on most flights, while other packaged snacks will be served on longer flights, and of course, customers will be allowed to carry on their own drinks purchased past security.
Since the outbreak of the virus, airlines have been taking measures to protect the health of passengers and crew, including enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures, as well as not refilling used cups or handing out hot towels in first class. As of today, Delta, United, and American have yet to suspend inflight drink service, but they may follow Southwest’s lead soon.
The problem isn't so much handing out drinks, as it is picking up bottles, cans, and cups. Probably the best solution would be to hand out only bottles and ask people to put the cap on, before they dispose of it in the trash. But, on a flight, say MDW to LAX, that is a long way to not offer beverages, considering how dry an aircraft cabin gets.
That seems reasonable. Now's not a time for half-measures.
How many days will it take for United to do this.
So they can't just hold out a tray with cans of drinks? Or put up 2-3 trays in the back with a variety in them as self serve? Even if they knock off a couple flavors/varieties. Seems like a cheap response to a real concern.
So you are going to give out pretzels and not proactively give out water? How is that going to work out?