American Airlines Extends Suspension Of Alcohol Services In Wake Of Assault On Southwest Flight Attendant

American Airlines has decided to follow Southwest Airlines in suspending alcohol services on flights, the airline announced on Saturday. The decision comes after an unruly passenger assaulted a Southwest flight attendant and knocked out two of her teeth.

According to CNN, many airlines, including American, had initially suspended alcohol service in March of 2020 to reduce interaction between airline crew and passengers and ensure safer flights.

American Airlines said alcohol services would remain suspended through September 13, a date that also happens to coincide with the end of the Transportation Security Administration’s mask mandate for all planes.

In a memo to flight attendants, Brady Byrnes, managing director of flight service at American stated, “Flight attendants are on the front lines every day not only ensuring our customers’ safety, but are also calming fears, answering questions, and enforcing policies like federally-required face masks.”