What's happening
This bill allows airline lounges in New York airports to obtain licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
Why it matters
Expands access to alcoholic beverages in airline lounges, aligning New York with other major U.S. airports. this could improve the travel experience for frequent flyers and business travelers, making New York airports more competitive and attractive.
Defines “airline lounge” specifically as areas operated by U.S. certificated airlines within airports. ensures that only legitimate airline-run lounges (not generic airport bars) are eligible, maintaining control over where alcohol is served.
Limits alcohol service to lounge-access patrons and their guests, with food required to be available. this targets the privilege to a controlled, membership-based environment, reducing the risk of overconsumption or service to the general public, and ensures alcohol service is accompanied by food, promoting responsible consumption.
Clarifies that alcohol service in airline lounges is considered incidental to the primary lounge services. this distinction could streamline regulatory compliance and reduce liability concerns for airlines, while maintaining a focus on hospitality rather than turning lounges into bars.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Liquor in Airline Lounges
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to economic development
- Print number 5725a
- Amend and recommit to economic development
- Referred to economic development
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5725--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 20, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. BRONSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to authorizing retail licenses to sell liquor for on-premises consumption at airline lounges
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3 of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new subdivision 39 to read as follows:
39. "Airline lounge" means and includes any premises located within an airport and such premises is owned, leased, or operated by a United States certificated airline which regularly and in a bona fide manner furnishes provisions and services therein.
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 64-a of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by section 2 of part CC of chapter 55 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
6. No special on-premises license shall be granted except for premises in which the principal business shall be: (a) the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises [or]; (b) an airline lounge; or (c) the operation of a legitimate theatre, including a motion picture theatre that is a building or facility which is regularly used and kept open primarily for the exhibition of motion pictures for at least five out of seven days a week, or on a regular seasonal basis of no less than six contiguous weeks, to the general public where all auditorium seating is permanently affixed to the floor and at least sixtyfive percent of the motion picture theatre's annual gross revenues is the combined result of admission revenue for the showing of motion pictures and the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages, or such other lawful adult entertainment or recreational facility as the liquor authority, giving due regard to the convenience of the public and the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01441-03-5
strict avoidance of sales prohibited by this chapter, shall by regulation classify for eligibility.
§ 3. Subdivision 6 of section 64-a of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 475 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
6. No special on-premises license shall be granted except for premises in which the principal business shall be: (a) the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises [or]; (b) an airline lounge; or (c) the operation of a legitimate theatre or such other lawful adult entertainment or recreational facility as the liquor authority, giving due regard to the convenience of the public and the strict avoidance of sales prohibited by this chapter, shall by regulation classify for eligibility. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize the issuance of a license to a motion picture theatre, except those meeting the definition of restaurant and meals, and where all seating is at tables where meals are served.
§ 4. Section 106 of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8-a to read as follows:
8-a. A license issued for such premises as are being conducted as an airline lounge shall authorize the holder thereof to provide alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption only to persons with lounge access privileges and their guests as authorized by the airline. Food shall be made regularly available for sale or otherwise to such persons for consumption on the premises.
§ 5. Subdivision 3 of section 117-a of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 114 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
3. With respect to an individual licensee, this section shall not apply to private functions not opened to the public, such as weddings, banquets, or receptions, or other similar functions, or to a package of food and beverages where the service of alcoholic beverages is incidental to the event or function, or to a licensed airline lounge where the service of alcoholic beverages is incidental to the services provided therein.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments made to subdivision 6 of section 64-a of the alcoholic beverage control law made by section two of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section 5 of part CC of chapter 55 of the laws of 2024, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section three of this act shall take effect.
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