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Airlines decide to ban alcohol on flights because of COVID-19

Airlines sober up amid the coronavirus pandemic

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Several dozen mothballed Delta Air Lines jets are parked at Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo., on April 1, 2020.

In this April 1, 2020 file photo, several dozen mothballed Delta Air Lines jets are parked at Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo. The skies are clearing up a bit for airlines as states ease lockdown measures and travelers slowly return to airport check-in lines. More airlines are restoring flights to their schedules and investors have taken note, driving up shares for the major airlines after a staggering decline.

Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Multiple airlines in the United States, Europe and Asia announced that they are going to ease up on alcohol sales amid the coronavirus pandemic.

What’s happening:

  • Airlines like Easyjet and KLM in Europe, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines in the United States and Virgin Australia in Asia have decided to suspend alcohol sales in response to COVID-19, according to CNN.
  • CNN said: “It’s part of a widespread revision of the industry’s food and drink service to minimize interaction between crew and passengers and to ensure a safer journey for all.”
  • Airlines have limited drinks to water only. The reason has to do with masks. Airlines don’t want masked travelers to sip their drinks for too long. Water is believed to be a quicker drink than alcohol for flyers, according to CNN.
  • Forbes said: “The alcohol ban is part of a larger move to reduce food and drink options aboard—with numerous airlines only serving bottled water on flights—as most airlines require mask use for the full duration of flights except for when passengers eat and drink.”

Decline in travel

  • According to New York magazine, about 502,000 people traveled through the Transportation Security Administration in April — a historic low. Last year, close to 2 to 2.5 million people traveled through TSA.