American Airlines to Simplify Beverage Service on Very Short Flights

American Airlines announced Thursdsay that it will offer a short-haul beverage service on flights of 250 miles or less.

The change goes into effect June 1 and will impact routes such as Dallas/Fort Worth to Austin, San Antonio, and Tulsa, New York (JFK) to Boston and Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

The change was announced via an internal memorandum to flight crews.

“Beginning June 1, all mainline markets less than 250 miles will offer short-haul beverages service only,” the company said.

On the flights with the short-haul beverage service, flight attendants will offer passengers a choice of small water bottles or pre-poured cups of orange juice. For passengers who want a different choice, the airline will board a supplemental beverage cart with additional options.

“The short flight time combined with frequent extreme turbulence made a full beverage service with carts in the aisle ill-advised,” a flight attendant who asked to remain anonymous told Frequent Business Traveler.

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