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American is bringing back alcohol, snack sales after 2-year hiatus

March 17, 2022
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3 min read
American Airlines Project Kodiak Oasis 2.0 737 Zach Griff ZGriff - 25
American is bringing back alcohol, snack sales after 2-year hiatus
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American Airlines will once again offer booze for purchase in the economy cabin, a carrier spokesperson confirmed to TPG on Thursday.

Beginning on April 18, the Fort Worth-based carrier will offer beer, wine and spirits for purchase in the coach cabin on flights 250 miles and longer.

Wine and spirits will be available for $9 each, and beer will be available for $8 a bottle. Those seated in extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats will receive complimentary liquor once sales resume in April.

At the same time, the airline will also phase in its buy-on-board snack offering for flights over 1,500 miles. Snacks will range from $4 to $6 each.

Beginning in April, the onboard menu will include packaged items like chips and almonds, but it will be expanded in the coming months based on supply chain availability, a carrier spokesperson confirmed to TPG.

Additionally, American will introduce touchless payment options later this year, but for now, any major debit or credit card will be accepted onboard.

Meal service: In-flight service is back — here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight

The airline isn’t making any service cuts as part of the move — soft drinks, along with Biscoff cookies and pretzels, will continue to be provided complimentary.

You’ll find the full menu of alcoholic options available on American flights at the bottom of this post. Note that it includes some new choices such as Aviation Gin and Glenlivet 15-year scotch.

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American’s move will now bring its onboard service in line with its competitors. The airline has been the last major holdout in bringing back liquor service in coach.

American first curtailed its beverage offerings at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020. The airline had planned to resume selling alcohol in coach last summer, but those plans were postponed to 2022 due to a rise in the number of unruly passenger incidents across the industry.

Inflight service: Hot food is back on American — here’s what it was like on day 1

Southwest Airlines was the other big holdout, but the Dallas-based carrier resumed selling liquor on its flights on Feb. 16, 2022.

While American is just now bringing booze back to coach, the airline’s first-class passengers have been enjoying the “good stuff” for many months now.

This latest catering update comes on the heels of plated, hot meals returning to its domestic first-class cabin last month.

American’s new liquor menu

Spirits - $9

  • Tito's Vodka
  • Bacardi Rum
  • Dewar's Scotch
  • Woodford Reserve
  • Aviation Gin
  • Bailey's Irish Cream
  • Amaretto Disaronno
  • Jack Daniels Whiskey
  • Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch

Wine - $9

  • White
  • Red
  • Rosé
  • Sparkling

Beer -$8

  • Bud Light
  • Heineken
  • Dos Equis
  • Goose IPA
  • Fat Tire Belgian White
  • Truly Hard Seltzer
Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.