Southwest Airlines Outlines Increased Cleaning and Safety Procedures

Airlines are looking to get back on track when it comes to flight volume in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Southwest Airlines is ensuring customers they are constantly improving safety and cleaning protocols during the coronavirus outbreak.

The company calls it The Southwest Promise:

The Safety and well-being of our Employees and Customers, and all of our neighbors, families, and friends in the communities we serve, has always been our top priority. Never has that duty to serve been clearer than it is now. That is why we are making several changes to many of our procedures to employ stringent cleaning and Safety practices to support the health and wellness of our Employees and Customers. We’re calling this the Southwest® Promise. Our Southwest Promise includes using electrostatic anti-microbial spray treatments and disinfectants, cleaning our aircraft between each flight, limiting the number of Passengers onboard, and changing our boarding process to promote personal space.

Southwest also shared a video showcasing the new measures.

Here’s a list of the cleaning procedures:

• An electrostatic disinfectant and anti-microbial spray is applied on every surface of the aircraft that kills viruses on contact and forms a protective shield for 30 days.
• Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, will be used to clean commonly used areas (onboard lavatories, tray tables, armrests, seat belts, flight attendant call buttons, and overhead bin handles) before every flight. (Begins mid-May)
• We also deep clean each plane from nose to tail for nearly 6-7 hours every night. (Began March 4)
• Our gate areas, ticket counters, and baggage claim areas are cleaned multiple times a day.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the airport and wipes will be available onboard for Customers.
• We use HEPA air filters onboard our aircraft, which remove 99.97% of airborne particles—similar to technology found in hospitals.
• We have aligned these stringent cleaning policies and procedures with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Face coverings or masks will be required for customers starting May 11. If you forget your mask at home, one will be available for you.