Remember how we told you how airlines save so much money by making infinitesimal cuts here and there? I think we just got hit with another one. This time by Southwest Airlines.
You may recall that when the “bad” days of the pandemic were dwindling, Southwest announced in February 2022 that they had brought back full onboard beverage service.
The press release said how excited Southwest was that, not only was full onboard beverage service returning to flights longer than 175 miles, their menu of options had increased, as well. They also said that, “…on flights less than 175 miles, we will provide a water-only service. This service is being introduced so that Customers [sic – why is that capitalized???] can still enjoy a beverage, even though flying time is limited.”
And so ‘express service’ began.
How Express Service Works
We’ve had the “pleasure” of express service every now and then, and it’s…meh. A choice of water, or sometimes coffee, or stay thirsty, if you haven’t brought your own. And if you want a package of those sweet pretzel things, too bad…go on a longer flight. 😉
To be honest, the express service made sense. Flights under 175 miles are, what, half an hour long? It’d be almost impossible to do a full service and get everything done.
Passenger Reactions
There were, of course, pax who didn’t like the change. I mean, change is hard, y’all! But a Redditor known as SWAFAthrowaway gave a perfect explanation of how helpful the express drink service can be, when time is of the essence:
One tray of coffee with cream and sugar on the side, then one tray of water, do you want it, yes or no. Followed by cleaning up the cabin a few minutes later.
Vs.
What would you like to drink? Well there’s a menu in the seat back… No, we don’t have root beer… No, no grape juice either. No… We do not have iced tea either, there’s a menu right there if you’ll just take a… Water??? Yes, we have water… Now… What would your children like? No… We STILL don’t have grape juice. No, no milk either… Drinks without caffeine, well… There’s a menu RIGHT OVER THERE… no. We don’t have caffeine free coke… I’m pretty sure the diet Coke also has caffeine in it… A water for them too? Great. And for you ma’am? No, we don’t have Bailey’s… No, no Kahlua either. Jack and Coke? Sure… Will it be credit card, or coupon? No, the drinks aren’t free. The coupons are for a list or business select customers. No, I can’t take cash. Okay, I’m ready to take your credit card whenever you have it ready…. It’s in the overhead bin??? Okay, well, the seatbelt sign is off, so go ahead and grab it for when I get back…
Repeat 16 times
Then during cleanup… I can take that trash for you guys now… I understand you’re not done, but unfortunately the FAA requires us to collect everything we handed out before landing. Yes, that includes the alcohol. I understand you were talking the whole flight and haven’t even started yet, but I do have to take it now…(chugging begins)… Do you have your credit card ready? It’s still in the overhead bin??? Do you have Apple pay or Google pay??? Okay well, can I go ahead and take the rest of the trash? Again, I understand the kids aren’t done… But… You’re right, I AM an idiot who doesn’t know how to do my job, I’m sure this IS the worst flight you’ve ever been on and I’m sure you WILL never come back. No, I don’t have a manager onboard that you can speak to, but when we land you can…. No… you can’t talk to the captain about it right now… Because he’s busy landing…
(SWAFArthrowaway fully admitted these discussions didn’t happen with every passenger – and some of what they said might have been a little exaggerated. But it gave a good drift of those conversations).
SWAFAthrowaway also explained how the coffee/water service takes up maybe 1/3 to 1/4 the time as full service because of the time for gathering materials, restocking said materials and clearing everything away when done. So, for those super short flights? OK, I get it.
Upping the ante: another change
But now it seems that Southwest just upped the ante, and instead of full service only being offered at 175 miles, whaddaya know, all of a sudden everything now starts at 250. From Southwest Airlines’ website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I get a snack and be able to order a drink (including alcohol) on my flight?
A: Snack and drink offerings are available on flights over 250 miles.
Note that offerings “…are available on flights over 250 miles.” So wait, not even express service???
Meanwhile, a recent thread on Reddit had a Redditor, Minimum_Raspberry_81, saying their FA on a recent flight confirmed that “several routes” were being changed from full drink service to express (and some flights were apparently indeed being switched to offering no drinks or snacks).
Which Routes Are Affected?
Several Redditors chimed in and, through their comments, it appears that the following routes (and potentially others) are now also receiving express drink service—or no drink service at all.
- HOU – SAT (192 miles)
- LAX – LAS (236 miles)
- AUS – DAL (210 miles)
- SAT – DAL (248 miles)
- ATL – BNA (214 miles)
- MDW – DTW (228 miles)
- LGB – LAS (231 miles)
- LAS – BUR (223 miles)
- BWI – PIT (209 miles)
- MCI – STL (237 miles)
- LAS – SNA (226 miles – Note: Pax reported express service in one direction and no service in the other)
- HNL – ITO (216 miles – Note: Pax said they got no service)
Why the Change?
People are going back and forth with the reasoning behind this change.
Some, including PYOK and are quoting the FAA rule that, due to the risk of turbulence, flight attendants must begin preparing the cabin for landing at 18,000 feet, instead of 10,000. Which I could see…except that Southwest reportedly changed their service to accommodate that rule 2 months ago, on December 4th.
However, most are suggesting that it’s yet another example of “airlinesque” nickel and diming. Considering it’s from Southwest, which is in the midst of an overhaul to save more money here and make more money there, it kind of would make the most sense. Especially since several of the other airlines already have limited, if any drink service for flights under 250 (and in one case, 350!) miles in length:
Alaska Airlines
- Non-alcoholic drinks are available on trips over 350 miles.
American Airlines
- We offer fresh coffee, tea, juice, water and soft drinks, as well as complimentary snacks on flights over 250 miles.
- (in teeny tiny print) Flights under 250 miles – non-alcoholic drinks by request.
Delta Air Lines
- On flight 251+ miles, coffee, tea, and water will be available in all cabins.
- All passengers on flights 251+ miles will be able to enjoy our snack selection (sweet/savory).
Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines don’t appear to mention flight distance as a requirement for drink service (although Hawaiian continually specifies both drink and beverage service on all of their flights EXCEPT inter-island (the latter is never mentioned).
Final Thoughts
So yeah…it really seems like another way to cheapen the brand. Again.
Anyway, although this new info is on Southwest’s website, it apparently hasn’t hit the food & beverage cards on the planes yet. So spread the word if you know someone who will be on a Southwest flight under 250 miles….not 175 anymore.
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