Another reason to first class.

I'm probably in the vast MINORITY here but personally speaking, I think it's a good idea and I'm only surprised it's taken this long for them to think of it.

About a year ago we were on a JB flight from JFK heading to SXM where the bulkhead row passengers three or four rows ahead of us were imbibing freely and had been prior to departure at one of the T5 lounges. They were drunk out of their ever loving minds. Had this scenario taken place at a local CT bar, the establishment would have been fined for over-serving this group. They were particularly loud and totally obnoxious but apparently they were either friends or at least well known to the flight crew and nothing was done to curtail their drinking in flight.

When we arrived at SXM they made it off the plane and through the usual airport obligations, though given their condition I don't know how, but by the time they reached the baggage claim area they were literally falling down drunk. The husband fell near the carousel and the wife, in trying to help him up, fell as well. Another passenger on the flight came up to us and passed comment about the condition of these passengers and how very unpleasant it was to sit directly across the aisle from them. I can only imagine since we found them obnoxious but we were far enough away we could immerse ourselves in our books and for the most part we were able to ignore them. My thought at the time was thank heavens they were sort of funny drunks and not mean ones.

It's a sad commentary but once again, as is so often the case, the few tend to ruin things for the many. It's a given this type of traveler is not the norm and it's too bad we all have to miss that which we've come to enjoy, and while I will miss the occasional glass of wine on the flight home, not so much that I can't appreciate how much safer in general this stance will make air travel, at least at this time.

Just my personal opinion here.........

Scubaman--sorry, somehow it's OK to give people alcohol for free, but not OK to have them buy it??? Bizarre..

Pat--they did stop selling alcohol for a while. And in your circumstance, they should have not served them on the plane at all..

Having flown multiple flights both FC and premium seats where free drinks are served i am yet to witness what you've described. I'm sure you saw this happen but am pretty sure it was an isolated incident and not the norm.

To sell alcohol and snacks in coach is different than serving in FC where no credit cards change hands with the covid protocols. Might have something to do with this.

Scuba,

We have also flown many first class flights where the drinks are gratis and we have never seen this before either but trust me, once was more than enough!

If someone can't handle or isn't willing to be reasonable with their on board drinks, methinks it doesn't matter where they're seated. In this situation, the people had quite the bill at the end of their flight

In honesty, it's the only time I've ever seen anyone reach that extreme but watching the evening news lately leads me to believe it happens more frequently than we might realize.

Scubaman--I don't think it's an issue of credit cards...

Why not just have a two drink limit? Seems that would be fair to those who drink responsibly but mostly prevent overindulgence. If someone boards the plane showing signs of intoxication, preferably they leave the plane....but at worst they don't get served.

Many passengers still bring their own on board so a 2 drink limit would not work in that case. Yes, it is NOT supposed to happen but it does. In Nov 2019 I witnessed a drunk passenger continually stealing alcohol from the beverage cart and pouring his own. I pointed it out to a flight attendant and they ignored it. He was blithering drunk and yet it continued. He was a mess by the time we landed in ATL.

i am with Pat. Who really needs alcohol on a plane? Seems like there are always a few that spoil it for all...but in the case of drunkeness at 35,000 miles, it may save many problems.

We always fly business/first class where the drinks are free. I have never witnessed an issue. It seems that maybe the flight attendants should have say when anyone has had too much, whether they are paying for them or not.

Writing as I just finished a vodka club while in the air, I am against the over reaction by AA although I get out of respect to that crew member why SW did what they did but the problem rarely what was served on the plane but what was served prior. Do we stop serving alcohol in airports? Against that as well. Noting they won't get a cocktail in the air will they drink more before they fly or sneak drinks on the jet? I fly a lot, already hit 75k with Alaska Airlines this year and am also AA Gold already, I rarely witness any sort of problem to the point I don't remember the last time. As far as the statement of pouring your own on a jet, that is illegal.

What I think the airlines need to do is to start enforcing the law as well as their rules. CLEARLY state that if you don't listen and follow those rules you are banned from the airline, could be a limited time or forever. I understand there are some less than stellar flight attendants but I run into a lot of sober jack **s passengers that don't listen or follow airline rules but it seems that the flight crew are unwilling to enforce probably in fear of being sued like United was.

Instead of banning liquor, allow those who are vaccinated to not wear a mask!

My two bits from 33k feet.

Correct but people get it through security and it does happen.

Sadly, throwing a "blanket" over a situation seems to be the way to address things versus dealing with the actual problem. Kind of like how governments do things.

It's not illegal to take through security if it is under 3 ounces, so they can't prevent you from taking it through security.

Do all the 3 oz and under bottles of liquid still have to fit into a 1 quart bag per person? Nov 2019 there was a lot of illegal serving going on across the aisle from us, but the guy was also stealing it from the beverage cart.

Yes, certainly it has to fit in the 3-1-1 bag. Really shocked that someone got away with stealing from the beverage cart and the cabin stewards did nothing about it..

sadly we experienced this alcohol restriction on our recent trip...although we usually fly around 75% in FC to SXM, this trip we did not...when we asked for drinks going down, and were told no alcohol was being served, we assumed it was just that flight, related to COVID or some other issue...then yesterday on the return, we again were told no alcohol...the flight attendant half-jokingly made the comment; "on top of everything else she can't deal with drunk passengers right now"....seeing the linked article now explains it

fortunately on our flight to europe this summer, we're on UA, and in FC/BF, so we won't be needing to cancel our trip due to fear of unwelcomed sobriety

depends who is checking your carryon

The 3-1-1 rule is a TSA rule applying to liquids, gels and creams that you are bringing with you on the plane, none can be more than 3.4oz or 100ml and all must fit in a single quart ziplock bag(clear). This bag must be removed from your carryon and be placed in a bin or on the x-ray belt for screening. If you forget to remove the ziplock bag with the liquids, you will be flagged by the x-ray TSA agent and your bag will be manually searched and waste a bit of your time.

No law against bringing booze on the jet, just if you are serving yourself. Keep in mind you can purchase bottles in the terminal and carry onto the jet on your way home. Before the over reaction 3-1-1 rule I often flew with a flask, and the only issues we ever had was that we might have to take a sip in front of the TSA to show it wasn't lethal.

I'm surprised that the crew didn't escort them off the plane!!!! This thing that people have to get the party started before the vacation begins is childish!! As someone who use to fly a LOT, I've seen my fair share of stupid things in the airports and on the planes, I've witnessed the crew pulling one of the obnoxious drunks off the plane, wasn't pretty, but the whole plane applauded!! I'm no teetotaler but when in comfort class and the free Bloody Mary is offered, I'm there!