United Airlines is making room for another choice on its drinks trolleys, and the airline is asking the public to help it decide what to stock. But don't get too excited. United isn't going to start serving top-shelf vodka in its economy class cabins. Rather, it is down to deciding on the flavor of a premixed can of alcoholic seltzer.

United Airlines loads up the drinks trolleys

According to social media posts from United, the airline wants to add a new line of White Claw seltzer. White Claw is a universally available fruit-flavored seltzer with a 4.5% alcohol content. The brand sells well in the United States. United Airlines began stocking Mango White Claw in its drink's trolleys on flights of 200 miles or more in June.

The remaining flavors to choose from are Black Cherry, Ruby Grapefruit, Watermelon, and Natural Lime. White Claw is made from sparkling water, triple-distilled spirit, and ‘natural’ fruit flavours.

United Airlines has a range of alcoholic drinks available for sale in economy class cabins across selected domestic flights. These flights include those from United's hub airports and other domestic flights exceeding 200 miles. While the range varies, economy class passengers can choose between baby bottles of wine, beers such as Stella or Breckenridge IPA, and Mango White Claw. United Airlines sells the latter drink for US$8 a can.

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United Airlines treats its passengers like grown-ups

While views on premixed drinks may vary, United Airlines deserves some kudos to treat its passengers like adults and continuing to serve alcohol inflight. Some competitor airlines continue to ban alcohol sales in their domestic economy cabins.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is one airline that bans alcohol sales on its planes, citing instances of passenger misconduct and flight crew safety threats as the reasons. American Airlines has a ban on domestic economy class alcohol sales until September.

"We recognize that alcohol can contribute to atypical behavior from customers onboard, and we owe it to our crew not to potentially exacerbate what can already be a new and stressful situation for our customers," Brady Byrnes, managing director of flight service at American Airlines told flight attendants in an email in May. "Let me be clear: American Airlines will not tolerate assault or mistreatment of our crews."

That's fair enough. But it is passing odd that American Airlines continues to serve alcohol in its premium cabins on domestic flights. Is that based on the belief that only economy class passengers behave like asses sometimes? Or is it okay to be a pissed inflight idiot if you are paying more for your ticket?

New "stressors" see some airlines ban economy class alcohol sales

Airlines like American and Southwest argue flying in 2021 has new "stressors." Sure, but air travel had a wide range of rage-fueling stressors before the travel downturns. Delays, cancelations, idiot passengers, and bad weather are not new phenomenons. It's likely airlines are using post-travel downturn "stressors" as an excuse to rejig their long-term inflight offerings and cut operating costs. Drinks trolleys cost money to stock and staff. Plus, they weigh a lot.

Two divergent flight paths are emerging for United States-based legacy airlines in 2021. Some, like American and Southwest, prefer to trim the inflight product. Others, like Delta and United, are going the other route, adding value to the inflight experience. The travel downturn is causing some airlines to become less premium while others go more upmarket. An old-fashioned industry-wide market repositioning is underway.

White Claw might be a pretty average sugar-laden can of alcoholic pop, but it's a popular drink with punters around the United States and symbolic of a broader trend. Like seltzer or not, United Airlines is offering passengers more choice and increasing its inflight offerings. It is clear which direction United Airlines is heading.

Are you in favor of United Airlines increasing the range of alcohol available on flights? Would you prefer an American/Southwest-style ban to continue? Post a comment and let us know.