Southwest Airlines is facing a new wave of backlash following reports that the carrier may be prioritizing the cleanliness of its “premium” seats over the rest of the plane.
According to leaked information, a new experimental cleaning policy could leave economy passengers sitting in the “grime and fluids” left behind by previous travelers, while those in extra-legroom seats get a fresh scrub.
The controversy started when Chris Click, a safety chair for the Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents Southwest’s flight attendants, spoke out about a memo regarding “the experiment they’re doing with cleaners coming on board and cleaning the airplane.”
In a video that has since been taken down, Click didn’t hold back, comparing the move to the infamous sinking of the Titanic.
He joked that focusing exclusively on the pricey seats is like the wealthy Titanic cruisers “having cigars and sipping brandy and telling their stories of their untold fortunes” while the folks in economy are left to suffer in second class conditions.
Southwest, however, has pushed back against the claims. A representative told The Post that their flight attendants still “tidy every aircraft between every flight today.” The airline defended the focus on the front of the plane, noting that “extended leg room seats are toward the front of the plane, so they see more foot traffic than the seats in the back.” They insisted they would “continue to make sure our aircraft are ready for every Customer, regardless of where their seats are on the plane.”
The news comes as Southwest undergoes several major changes, including the recent and highly controversial decision to scrap its long standing open seating policy. While the airline claims any changes to cleaning routines are about turning planes around faster for takeoff, cabin crews are worried about hygiene.
While flight attendants will still walk the aisles to pick up visible trash and straighten seatbelts, there are concerns that neither they nor the professional cleaning crews will be responsible for deep-cleaning the tray tables and seats in the back. If these reports are true, economy passengers might want to start packing their own disinfectant wipes.
