Some refreshingly ‘old normal’ airline news! From the 1st of May, American Airlines will reintroduce a full inflight beverage service in all its domestic premium cabins. And then on the 1st of June, beverage service will resume in the main cabin, including canned drinks, juices and water.
The reintroduction of a beverage service may sound relatively trivial, but the airline had to consider the actual and perceived safety and well-being of customers and flight crew on board. American worked with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and medical experts from American’s Travel Health Advisory Panel to determine to the safest way to return the food and beverage programme.
“American’s reintroduction of beverage service is a careful and informed process to ensure everyone on board feels safe and comfortable,” said Brady Byrnes, the airline’s VP of flight service. “We worked closely with the union that represents our flight attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and medical experts on this process. Through our partnership, we collectively determined that the timing is right to bring back this service, and we can do so while continuing to give customers peace of mind.”
Feedback from flight attendants and customers regarding the inflight beverage service will be closely considered as more food and beverage services are introduced incrementally.
This is what domestic flyers with American can look forward to:
Domestic Premium Cabin
- Beginning 1 May: Full complimentary beverage service, including alcohol, canned drinks, juices and water.
Domestic Main Cabin
- Beverage service is currently provided on flights longer than 2,200 miles (approximately four hours or more).
- Beginning 1 June: Complimentary beverage service, including canned drinks, juices and water.
- Later this summer: Full main cabin beverage service, including alcoholic beverage options, along with American’s buy-on-board food programme.
