Open liquor/wine bottles versus closed bottles

[brandls]

Just had a confusing flight and wanted to see if anyone knows the policy for open versus closed liquor and wine bottles when you purchase onboard.

On the way from San Antonio to San Francisco, we ordered drinks and the attendant gave them to us sealed,.  We thought that was great as we could not finish our drink due to air turbulance and had to close them for a later time. 

On the return flight, it was the opposite...the attendant said she could not give us a closed bottle as it was against Southwest policy.  Same challenge with weather and we basically lost our drinks as they had to be given up before we could finish what we had paid for.

What is the policy???  

[DancingDavidE]

The policy is that they are opened for you without the cap.

As you noticed there might be an occasionnal variance, but that is most likely unintentional or as a result of the irregular circumstances of turbulence - not for your convenience, but the FA was probably a little hectic.

Did you ask to get your drink ticket back? Probably tougher to do if you paid credit for the drinks.

[chgoflyer]

FAA regulations require alcohol to be served by a flight attendant and consumed while onboard. Southwest's interpretation is that alcohol must be given opened. In rare instances an FA may stray from policy.