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By Matthew Impelli
Life & Trends Reporter
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Questions about Southwest Airlines’ cleaning routines are circulating online after a report suggested the airline could be exploring new ways to prepare aircraft for the next group of passengers.
An article from a View From The Wing discussed claims that the airline could be testing a system where certain seats receive more detailed cleaning during quick aircraft turnarounds.
The Allegation
The report stated that Southwest was looking to experiment with a new policy “to clean only the premium extra legroom seat areas of the aircraft.”
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According to a View From The Wing, Chris Click, a board member of the Airline flight attendants union shared a video saying how he received a Southwest Airlines memo about "the experiment they’re doing with cleaners coming on board and cleaning the airplane.”
“So up front, you’ve got these super clean airplanes. In the back, you’ve got half-hearted, tidied airplanes. The passengers are going to come on board. They’re going to see it,” he said in the video, according to View From The Wing.
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‘Misleading’
The report was shared to a Subreddit led to differing interpretations among commenters about what the potential change might involve and about current policy.
"Have you seen how fast they turn around planes? They will just have the [flight attendants] collect the trash that is left by passengers but they don't have a full cleaning crew actually clean the plane until the plane's last flight of the day," one respondent claimed.
“I think this is a misleading headline. Reading the article, it sounds like they are proposing this as an enhancement—introducing new, separate cleaning crews who would do a full cleaning for the Premium seats, while the flight attendants continue to do the basic ‘tidy’ on the remaining seats (as they have always done),” one Reddit user commented.
Other contributors noted that quick turnarounds have historically meant limited cleaning between flights.
“[Southwest] used to not clean between flights at all, so I don’t really see the big deal? This would all be a lot easier if folks would take care of their trash and leave their seats the way they found them, but passengers can’t be trusted to be polite,” another Reddit user observed.
Southwest Airlines' Policy Clarification
In a statement to Newsweek via email, Southwest Airlines said that its standard process has not changed and that flight attendants will continue to tidy the cabin between every flight.
“That will continue, and in addition, we are looking at potentially bringing in additional cleaners when needed, at certain airports,” the statement continued.
"We will continue to make sure our aircraft are ready for every customer, regardless of where their seats are on the plane.”
How Clean Are Airplane Seats?
Airplane seats can see many passengers in a single day, leaving crews only minutes to do a quick tidy between flights while deeper cleanings typically happen overnight. Because of that limited turnaround time, airlines focus on trash removal and high‑touch areas, leaving many seat surfaces less frequently sanitized.
Research has found that tray tables, in particular, often carry some of the highest bacteria levels in the cabin.
Other Policy Changes
The conversation also comes during a period when Southwest has made adjustments to some of its policies and operations.
Newsweek previously reported that Southwest Airlines did away with the older open seating policy and began boarding flights under the new assigned seating model for the first time, bringing the airline in line with competitors like Delta and United.
However, according to another Newsweek report, after early feedback from customers, the airline says it will refine how boarding groups are organized and introduce new rules around overhead bin use in an effort to make the process smoother.
Southwest maintains that nothing about its cleaning standards has changed negatively, emphasizing that every passenger will continue to receive the same level of preparation before boarding.
As the airline tests additional support crews and adjusts other long‑standing policies, travelers will be watching closely to see how these updates shape their in‑flight experience.
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