How Much Do Drinks Cost on Southwest Airlines? Your Comprehensive Guide to In-Flight Refreshments!
Hey there, frequent flyer or first-time adventurer! Ever wondered what kind of beverage options await you on your next Southwest Airlines flight, and more importantly, what they'll cost? You're not alone! Knowing what to expect when it comes to in-flight refreshments can really enhance your travel experience. From complimentary sips to premium pours, let's dive into everything you need to know about Southwest's drink offerings and their prices. Get ready to plan your in-flight refreshment strategy!
Step 1: Understanding the Basics – Freebies vs. Purchases
First things first, it's crucial to understand Southwest's general policy on drinks. This airline operates a bit differently from some full-service carriers, but they do offer some excellent complimentary options.
Complimentary Beverages: Your Go-To Options
On most Southwest flights (generally those over 250 miles), you'll be happy to know that a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are absolutely free! This means you can quench your thirst without opening your wallet.
-
What's typically free? You can expect standard offerings like:
-
Coca-Cola products (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper)
-
Juices (orange, apple, cranberry-apple)
-
Water (including still and sparkling water like AHA Blueberry + Pomegranate)
-
Coffee (Community Coffee, regular and decaf)
-
Tea (Community Tea)
-
Hot Chocolate
-
Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Seltzer Water
-
-
Important Note: On very short flights (typically under 175 miles), beverage service might be limited to just water. It's always a good idea to check your flight details or ask a flight attendant if you're unsure.
Premium Beverages: When You Want a Little Extra
If you're looking for something with a bit more of a kick, Southwest offers a selection of alcoholic beverages for purchase. These are not complimentary (unless you have a drink coupon, which we'll discuss later!).
 |
| How Much Do Drinks Cost On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Breaking Down the Costs – Alcoholic Beverages
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the prices of alcoholic drinks on Southwest Airlines. Keep in mind that prices can sometimes change, but here are the general figures you can expect as of mid-2025:
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
-
Beer: Expect to pay around $7 for a beer. Southwest typically offers a selection of domestic and some craft beers. Popular choices often include Miller Lite, Dos Equis Special Lager, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Fat Tire, and Lagunitas 12th of Never Ale. They've also been known to introduce seasonal rotating beers.
-
Wine: A glass of wine will generally cost you around $8. Southwest usually carries a few wine options, such as:
-
Cruset Brut Sparkling Wine
-
Carmenet Cabernet Sauvignon
-
Salmon Creek Chardonnay
-
Previously, they also offered a ros�, but options can vary.
-
-
Spirits/Canned Cocktails: For liquor (like vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila, scotch, Irish cream) or canned cocktails, the price is typically around $9. Common brands you might find include:
-
Bacardi Rum
-
Baileys Irish Cream
-
Dewar's Scotch
-
Deep Eddy Vodka
-
Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka
-
Wild Turkey
-
Sauza Gold Tequila
-
Jack Daniel's
-
Tanqueray Gin
-
Pineapple High Noon Hard Seltzer
-
Dogfish Head's Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
-
Payment Methods Onboard:
Southwest typically accepts credit cards for alcoholic beverage purchases. They have also introduced payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay through their refreshed payment system on Wi-Fi enabled aircraft, making it even more convenient. Cash is generally not accepted for in-flight purchases.
Step 3: Scoring Free Alcoholic Drinks – The Savvy Traveler's Guide
While alcoholic drinks aren't generally free, there are a few excellent ways to snag a complimentary adult beverage on Southwest!
A. Drink Coupons: Your Golden Ticket
Southwest drink coupons are your best friend for a free alcoholic drink. But how do you get them?
-
Business Select Fares: If you purchase a Business Select fare, you automatically receive one complimentary drink coupon per flight segment. This is usually integrated into your boarding pass.
-
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Status: A-List Preferred members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on select flights over 250 miles. This benefit is often tied to your mobile boarding pass.
-
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: Many Southwest co-branded credit cards offer drink coupons as a perk, often as an anniversary bonus or as part of a sign-up offer. These are typically mailed to cardholders.
-
Flying Frequency: While not officially advertised, some Rapid Rewards members have reported receiving drink coupons in the mail after flying a certain number of flights (e.g., 10 one-way flights in a calendar year).
-
Special Promotions/Opting In: Southwest sometimes sends out promotional drink coupons via email to Rapid Rewards members who have opted in for communications. Make sure your communication preferences are updated in your Rapid Rewards account!
-
Pro Tip: Always check the expiration date on your drink coupons! While there was some leniency during the pandemic, generally, expired coupons are not honored.
B. Holiday Freebies: Celebrate in the Sky!
Southwest has a delightful tradition of offering free alcoholic drinks on certain holidays. This is a fantastic perk and a fun way to celebrate mid-air! Keep an eye out for these special dates:
 |
-
Valentine's Day (February 14th)
-
St. Patrick's Day (March 17th)
-
Southwest's Birthday (June 18th)
-
Halloween (October 31st)
-
Remember: While these are known free drink days, always confirm with a flight attendant or check the in-flight menu for confirmation on your specific flight.
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
Step 4: Important Policies and Considerations
Before you raise a glass, a few important rules and considerations to keep in mind:
-
Age Restriction: You must be 21 years or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages on Southwest Airlines flights. Flight attendants will verify age if there's any doubt.
-
No Outside Alcohol: In accordance with FAA regulations, passengers are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages onboard that were not served by Southwest Airlines. This means no sneaking your own mini-bottles onto the plane!
-
Consumption Onboard: Any alcohol purchased onboard must be consumed onboard the aircraft.
-
Service Discretion: Flight attendants reserve the right to refuse service to any passenger who appears to be intoxicated or is disruptive. Always drink responsibly.
-
Flight Length: As mentioned, full beverage service (including alcoholic drinks for purchase) is typically available on flights over 250 miles. Shorter flights may have limited or no service beyond water.
Step 5: Planning Your In-Flight Experience
Now that you're armed with all this information, you can strategically plan your in-flight drink experience!
-
Pre-Flight Check:
-
Do you have drink coupons? Make sure they're easily accessible.
-
Is it a holiday? You might be in for a freebie!
-
Consider your flight length: Will full beverage service be available?
-
-
During the Flight:
-
When the beverage cart comes around, you'll know exactly what to ask for, whether it's a complimentary soda or a paid adult beverage.
-
Don't be afraid to ask the flight attendant if you have any questions about the menu or specific brands available.
-
By understanding Southwest's drink policies and prices, you can truly enhance your journey, whether you're saving money with free options or enjoying a well-deserved premium drink. Cheers to a smooth flight!
Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest Airlines drinks, with quick answers:
How to get free drinks on Southwest Airlines?
You can get free non-alcoholic drinks on most flights over 250 miles. For free alcoholic drinks, you can use drink coupons (from Business Select fares, Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred, or credit cards) or fly on specific holidays (Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Southwest's Birthday, Halloween).
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
How to know if my Southwest flight offers alcoholic beverages?
Alcoholic beverages are generally offered for purchase on flights over 250 miles. The flight attendant will typically announce beverage service, and you can also check the in-flight menu once onboard.
How to use a Southwest Airlines drink coupon?
Simply present your physical drink coupon or show the designated drink coupon section on your mobile boarding pass (for Business Select or A-List Preferred) to a flight attendant when they come by with the beverage cart.
How to find out what specific beers or wines are available on Southwest?
The exact selection can vary, but Southwest typically lists their current offerings in their in-flight menu, which can often be found in the seatback pocket or by asking a flight attendant. Popular options generally include Miller Lite, Dos Equis, Carmenet Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cruset Brut Sparkling Wine.
How to pay for drinks on Southwest Airlines?
You can pay for alcoholic drinks using a credit card. On Wi-Fi enabled aircraft, you may also be able to use Apple Pay or Google Pay. Cash is generally not accepted.
How to check if my Rapid Rewards account includes drink coupons?
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
For credit card-related coupons, they are usually mailed to you. For A-List Preferred status, your drink coupon eligibility is noted on your mobile boarding pass. There isn't a direct "coupon balance" to check in your online Rapid Rewards account, but ensuring you've opted into communications can help you receive any promotional coupons.
How to bring my own drinks on a Southwest flight?
You can bring your own non-alcoholic beverages onboard, provided they comply with TSA liquid restrictions (3-1-1 rule for carry-on liquids). However, you are not permitted to consume any alcoholic beverages onboard that were not served by Southwest Airlines.
How to know if my flight is long enough for full beverage service?
As a general rule, flights over 250 miles will offer full beverage service including alcoholic options for purchase. Very short flights (under 175 miles) may only offer water. If you're unsure, you can always ask a flight attendant after boarding.
How to get a receipt for a drink purchase on Southwest?
Southwest has an online portal for beverage receipts. You can typically visit
How to request a specific drink that isn't on the menu?
While you can always ask, the flight attendants can only offer what is stocked on that particular flight. The in-flight menu reflects the available options.
 |
