At American Airlines Investor and Media Day we learned that the airline had plans to roll out additional benefits for Main Cabin Extra seats that have more legroom than regular coach. The plan was to:

offer beer, wine, and spirits to passengers in these seats starting ‘in the spring’ (there won’t be a complimentary snack for Main Cabin Extra passengers besides the same pretzels or cookies given to economy passengers). also put a sign in overhead bins indicating they’re for Main Cabin Extra passengers only starting February 1 with a roll out lasting a few months. Other premium cabins will get similar signage.

The signs have been going in. Here’s one from first class.



Although it turns out the new signage designating Main Cabin Extra wasn’t installed correctly on all planes. Eleven aircraft got seating reversed, though that’s supposed to be fixed this week and next. (Hint: D is an aisle and F is a window.)

However the new service standards — free booze — has created some consternation. Employees were told it wouldn’t mean more work for them, they wouldn’t have to police who sat where. But they also didn’t want customers just moving into seats that would give them free alcohol. So they went on an employee listening tour.

And the result is that free alcohol for passengers in extra legroom seats gets put off until summer.