Southwest Airlines Shifts Cabin Prep: Earlier and Higher

Starting next month, Southwest Airlines is raising the altitude at which flight attendants begin preparing the cabin for landing. From Dec. 4, they will start this process at 18, 000 feet (5, 486 meters) instead of the usual 10, 000 feet (3, 048 meters). The reason? To lower the chances of in-flight turbulence injuries for both crew and passengers.

This change means travelers will need to do their pre-landing routine — like fastening seatbelts and straightening their seats — earlier than before. While turbulence rarely causes deaths, it does lead to many injuries. Over nine years in the U. S. , more than a third of all airline incidents were due to turbulence, resulting mostly in serious injuries but no plane damage. A tragic example happened in May — a 73-year-old man lost his life on a Singapore Airlines flight after encountering severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean. Southwest has other changes planned too. Next year, they will be ending their long-standing tradition of "open seating, " where passengers choose their own seats after boarding.

Actions