Free drinks return to US Airways coach cabins

US Airways will return complimentary beverage service to the coach cabin on all mainline and US Airways Express flights beginning March 1. The airline has been charging for nonalcoholic beverages ($2 for soda/juice, $1 for coffee/tea) as part of its transition to a more a la carte business since last August (ATWOnline, June 13, 2008). Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said the company remains "firmly committed" to a la carte pricing but that it was at a "disadvantage" as the only large network carrier in the US to charge for drinks. It still expects to generate $400-$500 million in 2009 from other a la carte items such as checked-bag fees and seat upgrades.