Effective November 15, Southwest Airlines will be raising the price of alcoholic beverages on its flights.
The Dallas-based carrier has confirmed that there will be "a modest change" in the pricing, noting that the last increase occurred in 2018.
Previously priced at $7, all liquor on Southwest flights will now cost $9, marking an increase of nearly 29%.
Beer options, including Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ale, Lagunitas IPA, and Miller Lite, will now be priced at $7 instead of $6.
Wine choices such as Cruset Brut sparkling wine, Carmenet Cabernet Sauvignon, Mossel Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay, and Stone Cellars California Rosé will cost $8, up from $6.
However, Southwest Airlines will continue to offer complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, including soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and water. On flights of 175 miles or less, only water will be provided.
This increase in drink prices comes at a time when U.S. inflation is showing signs of easing overall, as it remained unchanged in October. However, the Labor Department's recent report highlights that prices in the travel sector, including airlines, continue to surpass pre-pandemic levels, largely due to higher labor costs.
Last year, Southwest Airlines decided to reintroduce the sale of alcoholic beverages on its flights. This decision came after the airline had temporarily suspended the drink menu in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, the suspension was implemented to ensure passengers kept their face masks on during the flight. However, due to ongoing disruptions caused by passengers, Southwest and other major carriers extended the restrictions on alcohol consumption.
One notable incident occurred in 2021 when a Southwest flight attendant was assaulted by a passenger, resulting in the loss of two teeth for the attendant. According to the flight attendant union, there were a total of 477 cases of passenger misconduct on Southwest flights between April and May of that year.
