Southwest Airlines restores onboard drinks service

After pausing its full menu of onboard beverage options in March 2020, Southwest Airlines has announced it will be offering an expanded selection of drinks to its customers again, effective from 16 February.

Tony Roach, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President Customer Experience and Customer Relations, said: “Customers have expressed a desire for more beverage options, so we’re delighted to restore additional onboard offerings as a part of the Southwest hospitality that our customers know and love.”

The carrier will be restoring alcoholic beverages for onboard purchase and will also be adding tonic water, apple juice, Coke Zero, Dr Pepper, hot tea and hot cocoa in its drinks selection on flights of 176 miles or more. The airline is currently offering Coke, Diet Coke, 7 Up, water, ginger ale, seltzer water, orange juice, cranberry cocktail juice and coffee.

The cost for the alcoholic drinks will vary, with sparkling wine, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay costing US$6 and spirits such as vodka, Jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, Bacardi rum and tequila costing $7.

Southwest says its customers may redeem any Southwest drink coupons that were set to expire in 2020 or 2021 for an alcoholic beverage until 31 December 2022.