Southwest Airlines says it is ending its cabin service even before its flights start next month.
Starting December 4, flight attendants will begin preparing the cabin for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet, a company spokesperson said. The company said the change in procedure is designed to “reduce the risk of in-flight turbulence injuries” to crew members and passengers.
For passengers, this means they will need to perform normal pre-landing procedures – such as making sure their seat belts are fastened and returning their seats to an upright position – earlier than before.
While unrest-related deaths are quite rare, injuries have increased over the years. More than a third of all airline incidents in the United States from 2009 to 2018 were turbulence-related, and most of them resulted in one or more serious injuries but no damage to the aircraft. National Transportation Safety Board report,
In May, a 73-year-old man Died on board Singapore Airlines plane when flying faced serious unrest Over the Indian Ocean.
The airline had also announced other changes earlier.
Starting next year, South West Will end half a century's tradition “Open seating” – Passengers choose their own seats after boarding the aircraft.