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After 35 years since the law was imposed, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will now mandate that first-class passengers will not be permitted to hold onto provided service items, such as paper and plastic cups, during pushback. As first reported by View From The Wing, this will result in less time for pre-departure beverages.
This comes as a result of the FAA’s industry-wide change, which means that flight attendants must begin the pre-departure beverage service earlier in the boarding process, and that the cups will be collected before pushback. What contradicts this move is that if you have brought your own beverage onboard, you can keep hold of it, but theoretically it should be stowed.
Making Sense of The FAA Beverage Rules
As shared by aviation insider JonNYC on X, from September 1, flight attendants will be required to collect provided service items on flights, which include both disposable and nondisposable service items. This change will affect first-class passengers who up until now have enjoyed pre-flight beverages.
The change is applied across the industry and will mandate that airlines collect and stow service items before pushback. Flights that offer pre-departure disposable serviceware, means that the pre-flight services will need to be brief, and drinks will be collected before pushback. So in other words, once you receive your glass of champagne, it’s bottom’s up!
As described by VFTW, the bureaucratic move will see the cup confiscated before the plane begins to move, and personal drinks that have been brought onboard can be kept, but legally these should be properly stowed.
This Rule Has Been In Place For More Than Three Decades
Airlines are not permitted to move aircraft if onboard food, beverages, or other serviceware remain in passengers’ seats. The FAA is now enforcing a rule, which is 14 CFR §121.577, and has been in place since 1992 but not fully enforced. Up until now, airlines have been theoretically allowed to provide service ware that could be collected up until the safety demonstration and taxi.
The recently enforced rule will now address the collection of paper and plastic cups before movement, meaning that all galley items will now need to be stowed before the aircraft begins moving, as they are otherwise believed to be an evacuation hazard and could result in slower evacuations during an incident.
As already explained, the new requirement is only related to service items that the airline has provided, and does not apply if you have brought your own beverage, including hot drinks purchased in the terminal. However, technically this is part of your baggage and should be stowed (but nobody does).
Less Time To Enjoy A Complimentary Beverage Before Takeoff
Delta Air Lines has moved quickly on the new rules, with the airline now requesting flight attendants to start their pre-flight beverage service earlier. This is expected to be enforced across all major US carriers, and while the rule was set out more than 35 years ago, it seems now is when the mandate is coming into effect. Many have wondered whether the change will reduce the perceived value of first-class tickets.
A Reddit discussion has outlined that a Delta flight attendant received communication from the FAA that all carrier-provided service items will now need to be collected before aircraft pushback, and this includes all disposable cups and pre-departure drinks. The flight attendant seems to have shared this as an FYI, and could this lead to the premium passengers being more inclined to board early to enjoy this pre-departure benefit?
14 CFR §121.577 prohibits airlines from moving on the surface while any airline-furnished food, beverages, or tableware is still in a passenger seat. This includes all trays, service carts, and other aisle-blocking moving screens to be secured before the aircraft begins its taxi. Passengers are expected during this time to follow crew safety instructions and the rules. This now restricts the pre-departure beverage service time, while also enforcing requirements for personal drinks held in your hand.
