Southwest AirlinesThis month, most flights will be reopened for alcohol sales after nearly two yearsIt was a temporary halt that it had extended in spring last year because of an surge in disruptive passengers.

Further tension developed between the airline, its union of 16,000 members flight attendants. The union called the resumption alcohol sales “unsafe & irresponsible.”

Originaly, Dallas’s airline halted alcohol and all other services at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. The airline’s chief operating officer stated last week that the carrier will likely continue to offer alcohol and other services. bring alcohol sales backThe second quarter ends late or very early.

Southwest will begin selling alcohol starting Feb. 16 on flights that are at least 176m long. The company will add hot tea, Dr. Pepper and tonic water to its current range of non-alcoholic beverages.

All U.S. airline passengers experienced a severe cut in onboard service, but food and beverages are beginning to rebound.

American Airlines Alaska AirlinesUnder pressure from unions of flight attendants, the airline cut back on recent expansions. They argued that it would make passengers wear face masks for longer periods. These are federally required and mandatory, but can be reduced when they drink or eat. This mask mandate remains in place until at least March 18.

TWU 556 is also putting pressure on Southwest.

Lyn Montgomery is the president of the union of Southwest flight attendants. She stated, “We have unambiguously and adamantly informed management that resuming alcohol sales while the mask mandate remains in effect has the great potential for increasing customer non-compliance as well as misconduct issues.”

Southwest American AirlinesThey said so last May hold off on plans bringing back alcoholAmerican was referring to the domestic and international coaches that were short-haul, but American also mentioned disruptive passenger behaviour, which in some instances included assaulting crew members.

Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations Tony Roach stated that “Customers expressed the desire for additional beverages, so we are delighted to restore additional options as a component of Southwest Hospitality, which our Customers know, and love.”