Sobering thought: Will alcohol be a COVID casualty on airlines?

Carriers including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand now offer only bottled water on domestic flights.

Meal services on planes are going to look very different for a while. Picture: Supplied.

Air travel has become a sobering experience in the COVID-19 crisis for more reasons than one, with a number of airlines axing alcoholic beverages from their in-flight services.

Carriers including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Delta and American Airlines now offer only bottled water on domestic flights in an effort to minimise contact with cabin crew and passengers.

Although Qantas permits passengers to bring their own drinks on board, they are restricted to non-alcoholic beverages.

With the global pandemic continuing and an international travel ban for Australians set to extend to September, it is unclear when the booze ban might lift.

But as domestic services increase in coming weeks and more people return to air travel, Qantas and Virgin Australia have pledged to review their in-flight service.

A Qantas spokesman said they had not served alcohol on flights for several months, but insisted it would not become permanent.

“Over the past three months, we have had a simplified in-flight food and beverage service,” he said.

“We expect customers will be able to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer when they fly with us again soon.”

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said they were working to bring back “koru hour” (happy hour) to domestic services in coming weeks.

Virgin Australia stressed the suspension of alcohol being served on board was temporary and in line with government health advice associated with COVID-19.

“We are continuing to review these measures in line with the latest medical advice, easing of travel restrictions and guest feedback,” said a Virgin Australia spokesman.

Virgin Atlantic has also removed alcohol from its aircraft, and British Airways has made liquor unavailable to short-haul economy passengers only.

American Airlines has restricted booze to First Class international travellers and Delta has made its domestic flights alcohol-free but not overseas services.

Singapore Airlines said it had “adjusted alcohol offerings” across all cabin classes as part of a simplified meal service.

Along with alcohol, in-flight magazines and pre-flight seat selection have also disappeared from many airlines, but they are expected to return as travel restrictions ease.