Violence Spurs Southwest To Continue Halt On Booze

USA Today reports:

Southwest Airlines has ditched its plans to resume alcohol sales in June and July given a spike in in-flight incidents, including a an altercation between a flight attendant and passenger that sent the flight attendant to the hospital Sunday.

“Given the recent uptick in industry-wide incidents of passenger disruptions in-flight, we have made the decision to pause the previously announced restart of alcohol service onboard,” Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz told USA TODAY.

“We realize this decision may be disappointing for some customers, but we feel this is the right decision at this time in the interest of the safety and comfort of all customers and crew on board.”

NBC News reports:

A Southwest passenger accused of punching a flight attendant and causing her to lose two teeth has been banned from flying with the airline.

Chris Mainz, a Southwest spokesman, told NBC News on Friday that Vyvianna Quinonez is now “restricted from ever flying on Southwest Airlines again.” “She has been advised this decision is final,” he said.

Witnesses on Sunday’s flight from Sacramento to San Diego told police that Quinonez, 28, hit a flight attendant during a confrontation. A statement from Southwest said she had “repeatedly ignored standard inflight instructions and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing.”