Originally Posted by
MollyNYC
When I go into the lounge I'm given a couple of coupons for drinks, so I'm limited to two (though I have never used two yet). However, on the plane, pax can have as many as they want. So I don't see how it would cost the airline more in booze.
Well, the difference is that in the Flagship Lounge, there are no drink coupons because the bar is self-service. It's "all you can drink," basically. So it will cost AA a lot more in booze to open up the FL to all pax traveling in FC on nonstop transcon flights. Not to mention more in food costs.
(OT: How AA enforces drinking laws at FL facilities in the USA is another matter entirely. Does anybody know? Don't most states require a bartender or trained server to be present wherever alcohol is served, to check IDs? Isn't "responsible alcohol service" a condition of liquor licenses in most states?)