Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tyler Morgan
Every major US airline still includes soft drinks, juice, coffee and water in economy. Alcohol is a different story. Most US carriers charge for beer and wine on domestic flights, while Air Canada and the big Gulf airlines pour it for free. In between are seat upgrades, fare bundles and elite perks that quietly include a free drink.
Below is a table comparing what you get in standard economy on the airlines Americans fly most, followed by the details for each airline and the simplest ways to get a free drink without buying a first class ticket.
Quick Answer
All major US airlines, including American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska and Hawaiian, give free soft drinks, juice, coffee and water in economy on most flights. Free alcohol in standard economy is rarer. Air Canada includes beer and wine on every flight, Emirates and Qatar Airways include it in every cabin, and US airlines generally include it only on long-haul international flights.
Key Takeaways
- Soft drinks are free in economy on every major US airline, usually on flights of about 250–350 miles or more.
- On domestic US flights, beer, wine and spirits cost roughly $7–$12 in standard economy.
- Extra-legroom products often include free alcohol, including American Main Cabin Extra, Delta Comfort, Southwest Extra Legroom and Alaska/Hawaiian Premium Class.
- American, Delta and United include free alcohol in economy on long-haul international flights.
- Air Canada, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines (international flights) pour free alcohol in economy.
Free Drinks in Economy: US and North American Airlines
The table shows standard economy on domestic and short-haul flights unless noted. Prices are the onboard prices each airline listed as of late 2026, and they can change at any time.
| Airline | Free soft drinks in economy? | Free alcohol in standard economy? | Easiest way to get a free alcoholic drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Yes, on flights over 250 miles (non-alcoholic drinks on request under 250 miles) | Only on long-haul international flights. Domestic: beer $9–$10, wine $12, spirits $11 | Book Main Cabin Extra |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes, all cabins | Only on long-haul international flights (6.5+ hours). Domestic: beer $9–$11, wine $12, spirits $11 | Book Delta Comfort |
| United Airlines | Yes | Beer and wine are free on long-haul international flights; paid on domestic flights | Fly long-haul international, or hold top-tier elite status |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes, on select flights of 251+ miles | No. Beer $7, wine $8, spirits $9 | Extra Legroom seat, Choice Extra fare, A-List Preferred, or a drink coupon |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes, on flights over 350 miles | No. Beer $8.99, wine and spirits $9.99, canned cocktails $12.99 | Book Premium Class |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes, including a welcome drink | Generally no in Main Cabin | Premium Class or First Class, or Atmos Gold status or higher on transpacific flights |
| Air Canada | Yes | Yes. Beer and wine on every flight (spirits not included) | Already included |
Free Drinks on Major International Airlines
Full-service international airlines are far more generous on long flights. These are the carriers US travelers most often connect through:
| Airline | Free soft drinks | Free alcohol in economy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Yes | Yes: wine, beer and spirits | Champagne costs extra in economy; no alcohol on Saudi Arabia flights |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | Yes: wine, beer and spirits | Saudi Arabia flights are dry |
| Etihad Airways | Yes | Yes: alcoholic beverages included with free drinks | Saudi Arabia flights are dry |
| Turkish Airlines | Yes | International flights only | Domestic flights in Turkey serve no alcohol |
| Saudia | Yes | No, the airline is dry | Bringing your own is not allowed |
Not every airline from a Muslim-majority country is dry. Saudia, Kuwait Airways and a few others serve no alcohol at all, while the Gulf hub carriers include it in the fare.
American Airlines: Main Cabin, Preferred and Main Cabin Extra
In standard Main Cabin on domestic flights over 250 miles, American serves free coffee, tea, juice, water and soft drinks with a snack. Alcohol is for sale. Beer runs $9–$10, wine is $12 and a 50 ml spirit is $11, payable by card or AAdvantage miles. On long-haul international flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and select South American cities, Main Cabin includes beer, wine and spirits with the meal.
Do Preferred seats get free drinks? No. A Preferred seat is a regular Main Cabin seat in a better location, such as closer to the front or on the aisle. The service is the same as the rest of Main Cabin. Main Cabin Extra is different. American includes complimentary beer, wine and spirits on flights with full drink service, though the number of drinks may be limited. If a free drink matters to you, pay for Main Cabin Extra rather than Preferred. Our guide on American Airlines free snacks and drinks has more on the snack lineup.
Delta and United
Delta serves free Coca-Cola soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea in every cabin. In Delta Main, alcohol is for purchase, with spirits at $11, Miller Lite at $9, craft beers at $11 and wine at $12. It becomes free on long-haul international flights. Delta’s onboard dining page puts the cutoff at 6.5 hours or more. Delta Comfort, the extra-legroom section, includes beer, wine and liquor on domestic and nearby flights. Passengers must be 21 or older to be served.
United includes soft drinks in economy everywhere. Since 2015 it has offered complimentary beer and wine in economy on long-haul international flights, such as transatlantic routes and most transpacific routes. On domestic flights, alcohol is paid. Economy Plus gives you legroom but not a free drink.
Southwest: Front Seats, Fare Bundles and Drink Coupons
Southwest now has assigned seating, so the old question of whether sitting up front gets you a drink has a new answer. It depends on the seat type you pay for, not on the row. Free soft drinks and snacks are served on select flights of 251 miles or more. Beyond that:
- Extra Legroom seats: complimentary premium drinks on select flights of 251 miles or more. Choosing a standard seat near the front at check-in does not qualify.
- Choice Extra fare: one complimentary premium drink on the day of travel.
- A-List Preferred members: up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight.
- Drink coupons: Southwest still accepts valid drink coupons, subject to availability and the expiration date printed on them. The airline can end the program at any time.
Without one of these, beer costs $7, wine $8 and spirits or hard seltzers $9. For where coupons come from and how to use them, see our Southwest drink coupons guide.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska and Hawaiian now operate under one FAA certificate and share the Atmos Rewards loyalty program, but each keeps its own onboard service. On Alaska, the beverage service on trips over 350 miles includes free soft drinks, juices, seltzer, Stumptown coffee and tea. Flights to and from Hawaii add Passion Orange Guava juice. Main Cabin alcohol costs $8.99 for beer, $9.99 for wine and spirits, and $12.99 for canned cocktails. In Premium Class, the extra-legroom section, alcohol is free.
Are drinks free on Hawaiian? Non-alcoholic drinks are. Every guest gets a welcome beverage, plus soft drinks, juice and coffee during the flight. Since July 1, 2026, most Main Cabin meals on mainland routes are paid pre-orders. Hawaiian has kept the free welcome drink, local snack and sweet treat before landing. Beer, wine and cocktails are generally sold in Main Cabin, including Hawaiian’s new Tide & Vine wines. Alcohol is complimentary in Premium Class and First Class, and Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium members get free alcohol on transpacific flights. See our Hawaiian Airlines food guide and Alaska Airlines food guide for the meal side.
How to Get a Free Drink Without Flying First Class
- Buy the extra-legroom product, not just a preferred seat. American Main Cabin Extra, Delta Comfort, Southwest Extra Legroom and Alaska or Hawaiian Premium Class all include alcohol. Ordinary preferred or front-row seats usually do not.
- Pick a long-haul international flight. American, Delta and United include beer and wine, and in some cases spirits, in economy on their longest international routes.
- Fly an airline that includes it. Air Canada includes beer and wine on every flight, and the Gulf carriers include wine, beer and spirits in economy.
- Use elite status. Southwest A-List Preferred and Atmos Gold and higher on Hawaiian transpacific flights come with free drinks.
- Check your fare bundle. Southwest’s Choice Extra fare includes one premium drink on the day of travel.
Good to know: You cannot drink your own alcohol on a US airline. Federal rules allow you to drink only what the airline serves, so mini bottles from the airport stay sealed. The legal age to be served on US airlines is 21, and crews can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airlines give free drinks in economy?
All major US airlines give free soft drinks, juice, coffee and water in economy on most flights. Free alcohol in economy is less common. Air Canada includes beer and wine on every flight, and Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad include wine, beer and spirits. American, Delta and United include alcohol in economy only on long-haul international flights.
Do Preferred seats on American Airlines get free drinks?
No. Preferred seats are standard Main Cabin seats in a more desirable location, and they get the same service as the rest of Main Cabin, which means free soft drinks and paid alcohol. Main Cabin Extra is the product that includes complimentary beer, wine and spirits on flights with full drink service. Pay for Main Cabin Extra if you want a free drink.
Do Southwest passengers in front seats get a free drink?
Only if the seat is an Extra Legroom seat. Under assigned seating, Extra Legroom seats include complimentary premium drinks on select flights of 251 miles or more. A standard seat near the front, even one chosen at check-in, does not. Choice Extra fares include one free premium drink, and A-List Preferred members get up to two per flight.
Can I still use a Southwest drink coupon?
Yes. Southwest still accepts valid drink coupons for alcoholic drinks onboard, subject to availability. Coupons are void after the expiration date printed on them, and Southwest says it can discontinue the program at any time. Hand the coupon to the flight attendant when you order. Without one, beer is $7, wine $8 and spirits $9.
Are drinks free on Hawaiian Airlines?
Non-alcoholic drinks are free on Hawaiian Airlines. Every guest gets a welcome beverage, plus soft drinks, juice and coffee. Alcohol is generally sold in Main Cabin and complimentary in Premium Class and First Class. Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium members also get free alcohol on transpacific flights. Main Cabin meals on most mainland routes are now paid pre-orders.
Which US airline gives free alcohol in economy on domestic flights?
None of the large US airlines include alcohol in standard economy on domestic flights. You pay roughly $7–$12 per drink. You can get it free by buying an extra-legroom product such as American Main Cabin Extra, Delta Comfort, Southwest Extra Legroom or Alaska Premium Class. In North America, Air Canada is the exception, with free beer and wine on every flight.
Sources
- American Airlines – Main Cabin food and drinks – free non-alcoholic drinks over 250 miles, alcohol prices, long-haul international complimentary alcohol
- American Airlines – Main Cabin Extra – complimentary beer, wine and spirits in Main Cabin Extra
- Delta Air Lines – Refuel & Refresh In-Flight Menu – Delta Main alcohol prices and complimentary alcohol by cabin
- Southwest Airlines – Inflight Drinks and Snacks Menu – drink prices, Extra Legroom, Choice Extra, A-List Preferred and drink coupon rules
- Alaska Airlines (on hawaiianairlines.com) – Main Cabin and Premium Class food and drinks – Alaska drink prices, 350-mile beverage threshold, free alcohol in Premium Class
- Air Canada – Complimentary Beer, Wine and Snacks on Every Flight – free beer and wine in economy on every flight from September 2025
- United Airlines – New International Economy Meals, Complimentary Beer and Wine – complimentary beer and wine in United Economy on long-haul international flights
