Southwest Airlines has begun operating its newest Boeing 737s with retractable secondary cockpit barriers, designed to protect the flight deck when pilots open the door during flight. The first aircraft entered service over the Labor Day weekend, making Southwest among the first U.S. carriers to deploy the safety measure.
The barrier, resembling a gate, is required under a 2023 FAA rule mandating installation on new aircraft starting in 2024, though airlines were allowed a one-year extension. Southwest confirmed that all future deliveries will include the barrier, while retrofitting existing planes is not yet possible.
The move follows long-standing calls from aviation labor unions for stronger protections, a demand dating back to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.