U.S. Business: A Toast to the Strike

Airborne drinks used to be free on many economy class flights. Last week United and American airlines an nounced that they are charging steerage passengers $1 a drink on all domestic flights, following a similar decision by TWA. Reason, according to TWA: to help recoup losses suffered in the recent machinists’ strike. American and United claim that the charge is due to competitive pressures. Two bits of good news for in-flight imbibers: drinks are still 500 on TWA’s international economy flights, and universally free on first class.