American, Southwest keep alcohol service suspended

American and Southwest Airlines are delaying plans to resume selling alcoholic beverages in economy cabins, citing the increase in “disturbing” passenger behavior, with American adding that the suspension will last at least until Sept. 13, which coincides with the current date to lift the federal face covering requirement. “Over the past week we’ve seen some of these stressors create deeply disturbing situations on board aircraft,” Brady Byrnes, vice president of flight service said, and “American Airlines will not tolerate assault or mistreatment of our crews.” Southwest was previously scheduled to resume alcoholic beverage sales this month.