Southwest Debuts First Jet With Cockpit Barrier

Southwest Airlines has begun flying its first aircraft equipped with a secondary cockpit barrier, a new safety feature designed to enhance flight deck protection. The milestone flight took place Friday on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Phoenix to Denver, marking the start of Southwest’s rollout of the system across its fleet.

Secondary barriers, long advocated by pilot unions following the September 11, 2001 attacks, provide an extra layer of defense during times when the cockpit door is open, such as during crew breaks. Aviation experts consider them a critical measure in preventing unauthorized access and improving overall security.

The feature is part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation issued in 2023, which officially took effect this week. Boeing and Airbus have already begun delivering aircraft with the barriers installed. While airlines have until July 2026 to comply, most carriers plan to use the extension period before deploying the system widely. Southwest, however, has chosen to implement the barrier immediately on all new deliveries.

Southwest anticipates taking delivery of around 25 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft this year, each equipped with the barrier. “We felt like we could get it done and put it in production as soon as the aircraft was ready,” said Justin Jones, executive vice president of operations.

The FAA’s rule requires only newly built aircraft in passenger service to include the additional barrier. Existing fleets are not mandated to undergo retrofits, leaving the rollout to occur gradually as new planes enter service.

Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=southwest+airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com