Southwest Airlines says it will end earlier cabin service on its flights starting next month.
A company spokesperson said that starting Dec. 4, flight attendants will begin preparing the cabin for landing at 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) instead of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The company said the change in procedure aims to “reduce the risk of injuries caused by in-flight turbulence” for crew members and passengers.
For passengers, this means they will need to do the usual pre-landing procedures – such as making sure their seatbelts are fastened and their seats returned to the upright position – earlier than before.
While deaths associated with weather turbulence are very rare, Injuries accumulated Over the years. More than a third of aviation accidents in the United States from 2009 to 2018 were related to turbulence, and most resulted in one or more serious injuries but no damage to the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board reported.
In May, a 73-year-old man He died on a Singapore Airlines flight When the plane experienced severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean.
The airline had previously announced other changes.
Starting next year, Southwest will continue for half a century Tradition of “open seating” – Passengers choose their seats after boarding the plane.
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