The question "May I get you something to drink?" can often spark a panicky fear in some people's hearts. The decision to choose amongst a bevy of beverages is often too overwhelming. They'll stammer a quick, "Uhhh...no thank you" before immediately regretting their answer. Once out of the decision spotlight, they'll calmly reflect on how refreshing an icy cup of ginger ale would taste, and why they just didn't think of it in time. Perhaps this case of indecisiveness doesn't affect that many. But for the 0.05% of population that it does (myself included) there is an answer to our tentative prayers.
On Februray 1st, Southwest will unveil the new Inflight Menu. After months of planning, pruning, and practice, the laminated 6x12 menu will be debuting in the 137 seatback pockets of each and every red-bellied warrior (i.e. our Boeing 737 jet.)
Wondering what kinds of complimentary inflight beverages we offer? What spirits might you partake in? What snacks are offered on long-haul flights? Wonder no more, as all your answers may now be found on the menu. (Confession: the menu has always been in the back of our inflight magazine, Spirit, but it was sometimes hard to locate amongst the many witty articles and Sudoku games wedged in between.)
The idea for an inflight menu took many minds, and many months. Any time a new product is added to our aircraft, it must go through vigorous tests for approval. All in all, the marketing team met with Aircraft Appearance, Purchasing, aircraft cleaners, Inflight communication, and even the FAA.
Fun fact: our inflight magazine Spirit always has the same number of pages each month. Why? Planes are subject to strict weight standards, so each and every item on board (even a mere magazine page) must be accounted for. Luckily, the menu was light enough that it wasn't a problem.
Besides the standard listing of complimentary beverages, a signature special drink will appear quarterly, which will feature a sponsored alcoholic beverage and mixer. For instance, this quarter will offer the 'Cranapple Blast' (a mix of Finlandia vodka and Cranapple juice.) The Spirited Selects section mentions the upcoming free drinks to commemorate special events or holidays happening in that specific quarter. Look for special Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day drinks on the house (provided you're 21 and up, of course) when you fly on those holidays. The Southwest Scoop section of the menu will give you a hint of what to expect in the Southwest skies--new cities, new beverages, big events...anything's possible.
Notice a pattern yet? All sections of the menu start with an "S." It's no coincidence--six months of planning makes for one very streamlined menu.
The menu will be changing quarterly, so be sure to check it out each time you're on a Southwest flight. And remember to have those credit cards ready--our Cabin has been Cashless since last Fall.
Comments
I might be one of the few who apposes the cashless system but I only use my credit cards for emergency purposes (and for high dollar items because I don't like carrying large amounts of cash on me.)
I just don't trust handing some stanger my credit card and not see them for 10 minutes or even worse, unsecure networks processing the transaction. (I think we all know what happened with TJ-MAX and Lowes.) They both got hacked because the engineers thought it would be a good to transmit credit card numbers wirelessly with no security in mind.
I prefer to pay cash. If I don't have the cash in my pocket, I don't need it. I have never paid interest on a credit card since I got my first one 27 years ago.
Great idea about the menu!
I am dying to ask this question though, cause if the answer is 'no', then I will be saddened, but I will still continue to be loyal to Southwest.
And now, here is the important question....
Do you still offer Dr. Pepper on your beverage menu???!?!?!?!?! :)
"Either think and act big and grow smaller, or think and act small and grow bigger."-Herb Kelleher
Anonymous,
We know some people don't want to (or can't) used a credit card onboard. That's why you can purchase a drink coupon book before b oarding at our ticket counters.
Jazzy
We still have America's finest soft drink.
A Pepper from way back.
The flight attendant will not disappear with you card "for ten minutes", they will swipe it right in front of you and hand it back. Still, if you don't want to use the credit card, buy a liquor book at the gates, and you will even experience a discount that way! Cheers!
So I have a question. What is the standard time for a credit card transaction to show up on my credit card statement? I took a flight back on Jan. 9th and bought a Monster. It just showed up on my statement on Jan. 29th. Is 3 weeks the norm? I thought the company was buying me a free drink for being so loyal to Southwest. Haha
And one more question not pertaining to this topic. Do I still receive double dollars for using my Chase Southwest Visa Card for booking a cruise through the Southwest site? I figured for the plug I gave you on your credit card, you could at least answer that for me. Thanks.
I LUV this idea! I saw another airline had the same sort of menu in their seatback pockets on a recent flight, and I thought it a really cool idea - until I saw how much they were charging for their cocktails! I was yearning for my $4 beverages on Southwest Airlines. Can't wait to see the new menus!
Marcus,
It depends on the closing date for your credit card account.
Not only can you purchase the coupons at ticket counters if you want to pay cash, but I believe they're heavily discounted if you do this (i.e., they're $10 for 4 drinks, $2.50 per drink instead of $4.00), so it makes sense even for those with credit cards.
As long as the peanuts are still on there, I don't need a menu . . .
The first paragraph of this post pretty much perfectly defines me. I guess I'm part of that 0.05% as well. Regardless, cheers to the new menu.
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