Skip to content

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

March 17, 2022
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
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

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.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

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.

TPG featured card

Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

2 - 10X miles

Intro offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles

Annual Fee

$395

Recommended Credit

740-850
Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase
5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Intro Offer

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles
  • Annual Fee

    $395
  • Recommended Credit

    740-850
    Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month