Gulp! Southwest Airlines To Spike Drink Prices Starting Thursday

HOUSTON, TX — Getting tipsy in a Southwest Airlines taxi will be a tad more expensive starting with Thursday's flights. The slogan on their in-flight drink menu says "$5 Happy hour, every hour" will need an edit as alcoholic beverages will see about a 20 percent spike starting March 1.

The increase in prices will go up either $1 or $2, depending on the drink. The price listing is:

Beer: $6 for Miller Lite or Dos Equis, $7 for premium beer including Fat Tire, Lagunitas and Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy.
Wine: $6.
Liquor: $7.

Southwest spokeswoman Melissa Ford said the new prices will remain competitive, even cheaper than the airline's competition, according to a report in USA Today. Southwest hasn't touched its drink prices in nine years.

Passengers who use Southwest Airlines' drink coupons won't have to fork over the extra money, and the company's Rapid Rewards frequent-flier member will get four free drink coupons after every 10 flights.

Patrons who fly business select or purchase the higher-priced tickets will receive a coupon for a free drink on their day of travel. The airline will continue serving one free drink on certain holidays, like St. Patrick's Day, the airline's birthday (June 18) and Halloween.

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Here's the Southwest Airlines drink menu.

The Dallas-based airline flies out of Hobby Airport in Houston and Love Field in Dallas.

(Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)