Southwest start flying new jets with secondary cockpit barriers
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.
Related News Stories: China Airlines partners with Southwest Airlines to expand US ... Icelandair launches inaugural flight to Nashville Southwest Airlines begins selling its own vacation packages China Airlines launching Phoenix AZ flights FAA probing Seattle Airport ground collision ILTM North America 2025 agent registrations off to flying start China Civil Aviation bans most power banks on domestic flights Hundreds of flights cancelled amid French ATC strike SalamAir launching direct flights to Nairobi EasyJet keen on Heathrow flights
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments