Ranked as the most popular airline in the United States, Southwest Airlines has quite the reputation to uphold. According to YouGov.com, Southwest had a 49% approval rating, the highest out of any U.S airline due to its affordability, reliability, and excellent customer service.
During the covid-19 pandemic, Southwest has taken many significant measures in order to focus on safety for all passengers and employees.
In addition to tidying each aircraft between flights, the Southwest crew spends more than six hours cleaning each aircraft every night. As of March 4, 2020, the airline has enhanced all overnight cleaning procedures.
Before Covid-19, the airline used an EPA approved, hospital-grade disinfectant in the lavatories and an interior cleaner in the cabin. Now, Southwest has expanded the use of the hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the aircraft, and it will be used in the cabin, on elements in the flight deck, and in the lavatory. “These new cleaning procedures meet or exceed recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).”
All of the Southwest aircrafts are equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which filter out airborne particles as the air onboard is recirculated with outside air. These same HEPA filters are used in many hospitals to enhance air quality within the environment.
The aircraft is also designed with an air circulation system that mixes in fresh air from outside the plane. According to Southwest.com, “ the HEPA filter and the air circulation system work together to provide optimum air quality while onboard a Southwest plane which, in most cases, exceeds the quality of air that can be found outdoors, as well as a typical office building or similar public venue.”
Just like Self Park FLL, the leading Fort Lauderdale airport parking provider, social distancing accommodations have been made to fit the CDC guidelines for all Southwest passengers. As of June 15th, Southwest has offered complimentary social distancing until October. The offer will be accomplished by limiting the number of tickets sold on every flight.
Southwest has stated that they’re not eliminating the middle seats because it will cut 66% of the overall revenue and ultimately raise the price for the consumer. Instead, they will continue to accommodate while following the necessary guidelines to make every customer comfortable and worry free.
