In response to increasing incidents of violence among passengers, Southwest and American Airlines have decided to suspend alcohol service once again. This decision follows a recent viral incident where a woman assaulted a Southwest flight attendant over a mask dispute, resulting in the attendant losing two teeth.
Initially, airlines paused in-flight alcohol service at the onset of the pandemic to minimize contact between crew members and passengers. However, as complaints regarding unruly behavior have surged—particularly related to mask compliance—these airlines are re-evaluating their alcohol policies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has documented over 2,500 reports of misconduct since the beginning of 2021, with approximately 1,900 of those related to mask mandate violations. This marks a stark increase from the typical 100 to 150 annual complaints.
Both airlines acknowledged that reintroducing alcohol service could further jeopardize employee safety amid this troubling trend. Southwest noted that it would halt alcohol sales due to the “recent uptick industrywide of incidents in-flight involving disruptive passengers.” American Airlines echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that alcohol can lead to unpredictable behavior and that they are committed to ensuring the safety of their crew members.
Despite the prevalence of alarming stories featuring violent passengers—often referred to as “maskholes”—the FAA has reportedly issued fines to only five individuals this year for such behavior. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges facing the airline industry in maintaining safety and order in the skies.
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In summary, the decision by Southwest and American Airlines to pause alcohol service reflects a growing concern over passenger violence, particularly regarding mask adherence. As the number of incidents rises, these airlines prioritize the safety of their employees and passengers alike.