US Edition
Southwest Airlines begins flying first plane with secondary cockpit barrier
- Southwest Airlines began operating new Boeing 737 jets equipped with a retractable secondary barrier protecting the cockpit during flight starting Labor Day weekend 2023.
- This safety measure was introduced in response to the events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists commandeered commercial airplanes, leading aviation unions to advocate for additional barriers to enhance flight deck security.
- The barrier acts like a gate and closes whenever pilots open the cockpit door mid-flight, improving on previous procedures like blocking the aisle with a beverage cart.
- Southwest emphasized its strong commitment to safety through forward-looking measures and announced that all new aircraft deliveries will include installed barriers, although current aircraft cannot yet be retrofitted due to the lack of certification.
- Southwest opted to accept new aircraft equipped with the secondary cockpit barriers ahead of the FAA’s one-year deferral period granted to other airlines for implementing the rule starting in summer 2023.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Southwest Airlines begins using planes with secondary cockpit barrier
The Transportation Security Administration says more than 17 million travelers flew during the long Labor Day weekend. Many may not have noticed a new safety feature on some Southwest flights: a retractable barrier designed to make the cockpit more secure. New safety feature Southwest Airlines has started equipping planes with a foldaway gate that blocks access to the cockpit when pilots step out, such as to use the restroom. Flight attendants d…
Southwest Airlines debuts new safety barrier for aircraft
(NewsNation) — Southwest Airlines has taken its next steps in safety measures for its aircraft. The airline has introduced a fold-away barrier that can prevent fliers from entering the front galley adjoining the flight deck if a pilot needs to open the cockpit. Flight attendants will be required to deploy the barrier when a pilot exits the cockpit for bathroom use or other matters. The company completed its first flight with the secondary barrie…
Koco News5
Southwest Airlines introduces cockpit barriers on new Boeing 737 jets
Southwest Airlines’ newest jets are now flying with a barrier that can protect the cockpit when pilots need to open the door during flight.
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