Southwest Introducing New Stringent Cleaning Standards

To our valued Customers,

The Safety and well-being of our Employees and Customers, and all of our neighbors, families, and friends in the communities we serve, has always been our top priority. Never has that duty to serve been clearer than it is now. That is why we are making several changes to many of our procedures to employ stringent cleaning and Safety practices to support the health and wellness of our Employees and Customers. We're calling this the Southwest® Promise. Our Southwest Promise includes using electrostatic anti-microbial spray treatments and disinfectants, cleaning our aircraft between each flight, limiting the number of Passengers onboard, and changing our boarding process to promote personal space.

Learn more about the Southwest Promise and what it means when you are ready to travel.

Collectively, at Southwest® Airlines, we consider our work to be more than a career; it's a calling. Yes, this current challenge is unlike any we've faced before, but we are battle-hardened, and we are resilient. We will approach it as we have many other challenges throughout our nearly five decades: with our Southwest Hearts, and with a determination to provide our Customers with the utmost care and assistance.

Like you, we feel extreme gratitude for those who are serving on the frontlines of this pandemic. And from our own frontlines to our back offices, we share an immense pride in the service we're providing to our Customers for whom travel is essential right now. Our sense of responsibility cannot be understated. In the future, we are committed to reconnecting our Customers to the people and places they love. So as we warmly await your return, we add the Southwest Promise to a nearly 50-year commitment of unmatched Hospitality and an unwavering focus on Safety.
We are here to help you move through this new way of travel with the same warmth, care, and reliability you expect from us—today and every day. From check-in to deplaning, our focus is and always will be taking care of you and our Employees.

Stay Heart Strong,

Gary and our 60,000 Employees

Enhanced cleaning, physical-distancing measures, and equipped Employees

Everything you need to know

We have added multiple layers of stringent cleaning and disinfecting:

• An electrostatic disinfectant and anti-microbial spray is applied on every surface of the aircraft that kills viruses on contact and forms a protective shield for 30 days.
• Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, will be used to clean commonly used areas (onboard lavatories, tray tables, armrests, seat belts, flight attendant call buttons, and overhead bin handles) before every flight. (Begins mid-May)
• We also deep clean each plane from nose to tail for nearly 6-7 hours every night. (Began March 4)
• Our gate areas, ticket counters, and baggage claim areas are cleaned multiple times a day.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the airport and wipes will be available onboard for Customers.
• We use HEPA air filters onboard our aircraft, which remove 99.97% of airborne particles—similar to technology found in hospitals.
• We have aligned these stringent cleaning policies and procedures with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We have added new physical-distancing practices:

• We are limiting the number of people onboard each flight to provide Customers more personal space so there will be no need for the middle seat to be occupied (currently through June). But if you’re traveling together, you can still sit together.
• Our boarding process is changing. We’re boarding in groups of 10 and only on one side of our boarding poles to help our Customers spread out.

More information below

Everything you need to do

• It is highly encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer and mask, and to wear your mask while traveling. Face coverings or masks will be required for Customers starting May 11. If you forget your mask at home, one will be available for you.
• Download your mobile boarding pass prior to arrival to limit the amount of exchanges you Maintain physical spacing at the airport and onboard.
• We are not serving snacks or beverages inflight to limit personal contact. We recommend eating before you travel.
• Do not travel if you are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms. We never charge a fee to change* or cancel a flight**, and you can rebook your travel for a later date.