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This tidbit is unwelcome news for travelers’ posteriors.
When flying with Southwest Airlines, passengers might find themselves sitting in seats still marked by the remnants of previous occupants, such as spills, fluids, and general grime. This concern arises from unsettling allegations that Southwest plans to focus cleaning efforts solely on “premium seats” between flights.
Chris Click, who serves as the safety chair for the Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents Southwest Airlines flight attendants, shared insights from a memo about a new trial involving onboard cleaning practices. This information was reported by Views From The Wing, a popular online travel resource.
In a now-removed video, Click reportedly compared Southwest’s supposed focus on first-class passengers—those who pay extra for more comfort—to the social hierarchy aboard the infamous Titanic.
He humorously suggested that prioritizing cleaning for premium ticket holders is akin to the affluent Titanic passengers, “enjoying cigars and brandy while sharing tales of wealth,” as those “below deck” endured less favorable conditions.
However, a representative for Southwest contradicted the Click’s memo in a statement to The Post, claiming that their flight attendants “tidy every aircraft between every flight today.”
They also noted that their “extended leg room seats are toward the front of the plane, so they see more foot traffic than the seats in the back.”
“We will continue to make sure our aircraft are ready for every Customer, regardless of where their seats are on the plane,” they told The Post.
The news comes amid a slew of controversial plane seat shake-ups by the budget airline, such as their recent decision to do away with open-seating.
Rumors of its sanitation switch-up have frequent flyers in a tailspin.
“Southwest Airlines [is] only gonna clean your seat if it smells like money,” wrote an outraged X user. “The rest of you peasants can sit in the germ-infested filth left behind by the rest of the poor people.”
“Southwest Airlines has turned in to public transit. Dirty and expensive,” another spat.
“There isn’t a big enough ‘FU’ in my fonts,” tweeted an equally irked critic, in part.
The virtual vilification of the airline comes just days after travelers deemed its new seating policy a “disaster,” equating it to extortion. As of January, the Texas-based imprint barred customers from choosing a seat upon boarding a plane, forcing some to pay higher fees for more legroom.
But when it comes to skimping on cleanliness, the airline may not have a leg to stand on — especially after a recent scientific swab test revealed the copious amounts of bacteria that coat plane seats.
The alleged move to limit cleaning between trips is reportedly rooted in Southwest’s dedication to getting aircraft ready for takeoff as quickly as possible.
“They spend less time on the ground and more time in the air, but the planes don’t get as clean,” said a travel insider in a statement. “Flight attendants aren’t expected to reach into seat back pockets, for instance.”
Cabin crew members, however, will reportedly continue tidying up entire cabins, collecting visible trash and straightening seatbelts.
But neither the flight attendants nor an official cleanup crew will be responsible for sanitizing second-class seats and tray tables, if the alleged changes to Southwest’s policies are true.
Here are a veteran flight attendant’s top 5 tips for surviving the unsanitary trappings of airplanes.
- Sanitize the entire seating area — tray tables, seat cushions, armrests, screens and seat buckle
- Avoid touching the seat pocket
- Use a blanket as a chair cover
- Keep your shoes on
- Pay attention to your surroundings before putting your carry-on items on the floor