American Brings Back Beverage Service after Long Pandemic Drought

American Airlines passengers will fly dry no more. Starting May 1, the U.S. carrier will reintroduce full beverage service in all domestic premium cabins and then starting June 1, beverage service, including canned drinks, juice and water, will extend to the main cabin. In a similar move earlier this month, Delta, too, announced plans to reintroduce inflight drinks and snacks.

American worked hand-in-hand 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 carefully return the food and beverage program. Of course, face covering policies will still be in place throughout the flight – although masks and other protections are allowed to be removed briefly while the customer is eating or drinking.

“American’s reintroduction of beverage service is a careful and informed process to ensure everyone on board feels safe and comfortable,” said Brady Byrnes, Vice President of Flight Service. “When customers fly with American, they are trusting us with their safety. 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.”

Domestic beverage service details:

Domestic Premium Cabin

• Beginning May 1: Full complimentary beverage service, including alcohol, canned drinks, juice and water.

Domestic Main Cabin

• Beverage service is currently provided on flights longer than 2,200 miles (approximately four hours or more).

• Beginning June 1: Complimentary beverage service, including canned drinks, juice and water.

• Later this summer: Full main cabin beverage service, including alcoholic beverage options, along with American’s popular buy-on-board food program.

Currently, in flights under 900 miles

• Water, canned drinks and juice by request only

• No snacks, alcohol or food available in the Main Cabin

• Alcohol available in First by request only

Flights between 900 and 2,199 miles / up to 4.5 hours

Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Main Cabin Extra:

• Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and bottled water

• No snacks, alcohol or food for purchase

• Water, canned drinks and juice by request only

In First:

Complimentary fresh snacks on flights departing between 5 a.m.

and 9 p.m.

Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and bottled water

Drinks, including alcohol, by request only

No drinks served before departure

Flights over 2,200 miles / over 4.5 hours

Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Main Cabin Extra:

• Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and water, canned drinks or juice during the flight

• No snacks or food for purchase

• No alcohol or meals except on long-haul international flights

First and Business:

Complimentary Fresh Bites items like fresh fruit, yogurt and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and sandwiches, salads and fresh appetizers for lunch and dinner

• Meals served on one tray, not in courses

• No drinks served before departure

• Full beverage service, including alcohol

To stay current with AA’s ever-changing policies and operations as customers return to the skies, the airline continues to update the travel experience page on aa.com – a particularly useful resource as American incrementally builds back its food and beverage program.