Southwest Airlines’ newest aircraft have the latest cockpit protection with a ‘secondary barrier.’
The airline’s latest Boeing 737 planes are equipped with the retractable barrier and have just entered service.
The additional cockpit security barriers are mandated for all new aircraft from 2026, which was pushed back from this year.
It allows a barrier to remain in place for the few moments when the flight crew have to enter or leave the cockpit.
“For Southwest, this was the right decision. We have a robust safety management system that takes a proactive approach when it comes to enhancing safety wherever possible,” the airline said.
From now, every new aircraft it takes possession of will have the barrier installed.
The FAA hasn’t yet drawn up a certified procedure for installing the secondary cockpit barrier and existing aircraft.
