US Airways reinstates free drinks programme

US Airways has announced that it will bring back its free drinks scheme on all flights from March 1st.

All US Airways and US Airways Express economy service customers will be offered free fruit juices, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee during their flight.

Other alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine and cocktails, will remain priced at $7 (£4.80) each.

US Airways’ universal beverage purchase programme was initially introduced as part of the 'a la carte' business model, which allows customers to only pay for what they actually want to use.

In spite of the fact that soft drinks are now free , the programme is still expected to make between $400 and $500 million this year.

Chairman and chief executive of US Airways, Doug Parker, said: "We are firmly committed to the a la carte model and believe it's the right one for our business.

"It is also a work in progress – US Airways was the only large network carrier to charge for drinks and that put us at a disadvantage."

US Airways services a worldwide network, including transatlantic flights from Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport and Manchester Airport to its US hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Las Vegas,.

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