Washington
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Southwest Airlines’ latest jets are actually flying with a barrier that may protect the cockpit when pilots want to open the door throughout flight, in accordance to the airline.
The firm’s first Boeing 737 geared up with the retractable barrier entered service in time for the Labor Day weekend, making it certainly one of the first US air carriers to use it.
The “secondary barrier,” which seems extra like a gate than a stable door, was initially required to be put in on all new plane beginning this summer time by a 2023 Federal Aviation Administration rule, nonetheless the airline agreed to push again the implementation of the rule by a 12 months.
Aviation labor unions have lengthy argued following the Sept. 11, 2001 assaults that secondary boundaries had been wanted to protect the flight deck when pilots had to open the door – resembling to entry the toilet.
“For Southwest, this was the right decision,” the airline stated in an announcement. “We have a robust safety management system that takes a proactive approach when it comes to enhancing safety wherever possible.”
Southwest stated “every new aircraft” it takes supply of will come with the barrier put in. There is presently not a licensed technique of including the boundaries to current planes, nonetheless Southwest says it stays in communication with Boeing and the FAA.
Airlines presently use procedures like blocking the aisle at the entrance of the airplane with a beverage cart when pilots want to open the door and exit the cockpit.