Everyone knows that flying—standing for hours in crowded lines and then being packed in uncomfortably close proximity with 200 strangers, sharing stale recycled air, squeezing past each other in the inches between seats, using a bathroom with surfaces that are always suspiciously wet—is a good way to get sick. Now, passengers and flight crews are required to wear masks on flights. And just to make things even more uncomfortable, many airlines have banned alcohol on board.
Why? For many, it’s because they want to minimize the amount of time passengers spend not wearing masks and lingering over drinks
In April, more than 1,000 flight attendants working for American Airlines tested positive for COVID-19 in a single company-wide testing sweep. These crew members served comfort and food to hundreds of thousands of passengers, going all over the world, and no doubt played a significant part in the global spread of the disease.
During lockdown, while most of the countries of the world banned international travel, airlines have had time to evaluate what they are going to do going forward to help stop the future spread of disease. Air travel is essential. The world as we know it today doesn’t function without it.
In the U.S. and Europe, no official guidelines about what airlines have to do has come from government authorities, other than requirement of masks for crew and passengers alike. But most airlines are looking at major measures such as not selling middle seats and canceling most food and drink services. And a large change, one that may change the reputation of flying: many airlines have banned alcohol.
Many U.S. budget airlines are reducing their drink offerings to just water, and that only by demand, in an effort to encourage people not to linger over refreshments with their masks off. EasyJet and Ryanair, two European budget airlines, have banned alcohol and will only have pre-packaged snacks available before boarding to be carried onto the plane.
KLM, the major international airline from the Netherlands, will have pre-packaged refreshments waiting at your seat, and water or soft drinks available by request, but no alcohol or hot drinks. The airline has made a statement that the decision is at least in part, to keep people making smart decisions in flight.
Most major American airlines will still have alcohol available by request, but only now for first class passengers, which won’t be a popular decision. If you’re traveling this summer, make sure you check what food is available on your chosen airline and if your airline has banned alcohol so you can pack your carry-on appropriately.
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