United Airlines is also believed to have informed its flight attendants of the upcoming change. There has also been speculation that the move may influence flight crews to completely omit pre-depature beverages on narrowbody aircraft moving forward. JonNYC mentioned “input” from an unnamed source, which hints at the possibility.
Our reporting was updated on Sunday, August 23, to include late developments regarding the timeline for other US airlines’ possible implementation of the order, and the discussion of which carriers have been known to offer a pre-departure beverage service. This report was originally published on Saturday, August 22.
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 from the FAA’s industry-wide change, which means flight attendants must begin pre-departure beverage service earlier in the boarding process and collect cups 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.
Aviation insider JonNYC confirmed that beginning September 1, flight attendants will be required to collect provided service items on flights, including both disposable and nondisposable items. This change will affect first-class passengers who have previously enjoyed pre-flight beverages.
The change applies across the industry and will require airlines to collect and stow service items before pushback. Flights that offer pre-departure disposable service ware will have brief pre-flight service, and drinks will be collected before pushback. The bureaucratic move means the cup will be confiscated before the plane begins to move, and personal drinks brought onboard can be kept, but legally they should be properly stowed, according to View From The Wing.
This Rule Has Been In Place For More Than Three Decades
Airlines may not move aircraft if onboard food, beverages, or other serviceware remain in passengers’ seats. The FAA is now enforcing 14 CFR §121.577, which has been in place since 1992 but not fully enforced. Until now, airlines have been allowed to provide service ware that could be collected until the safety demonstration and taxi.
The recently enforced rule will now address the collection of paper and plastic cups before movement, meaning all galley items must now be stowed before the aircraft begins moving, as they are otherwise believed to be an evacuation hazard and could slow evacuations during an incident.
As already explained, the new requirement applies only to service items the airline provides and does not apply if you bring your own beverage, including hot drinks purchased in the terminal. However, technically, this is part of your baggage and should be stowed.
Premium cabin demand has only continued to grow.
Less Time To Enjoy A Complimentary Beverage Before Takeoff
Delta Air Lines has moved quickly on the new rules, with the airline now reportedly 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 the mandate is now coming into effect. Many have wondered whether the change will reduce the perceived value of first-class tickets.
A Reddit discussion refers to a Delta flight attendant who received communication from the FAA that all carrier-provided service items must now be collected before aircraft pushback, including all disposable cups and pre-departure drinks.
UPDATE: 08/23/2026 6:00 PM PST BY CHANNING REID
United Airlines is also believed to have informed its flight attendants of the upcoming change. There has also been speculation that the move may influence flight crews to completely omit pre-depature beverages on narrowbody aircraft moving forward. JonNYC mentioned “input” from an unnamed source, which hints at the possibility.
“The thinking is that this will probably lead to a decrease in offering predeparture beverage especially on narrowbodies,” the source reportedly said.
It is unclear which airlines have informed their flight attendants of the order. On Saturday, JetBlue Airways had not yet notified its flight attendants, according to JonNYC. Many commenters on another Reddit thread recalled never receiving a pre-departure beverage on Alaska Airlines. However, one person who flew on a codeshare flight operated by American Airlines said that flight attendants “were going around with a tray of sparkling wine and sparkling water.”
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, which must be secured before the aircraft begins taxiing. During this time, passengers are expected to follow crew safety instructions and rules. This now restricts pre-departure beverage service time and enforces requirements for personal drinks held in your hand.
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