Southwest Airlines is reportedly testing a new cleaning approach that prioritizes its premium extra-legroom seats between flights, a move that is drawing debate among frequent flyers.
According to aviation reports and comments from a flight attendant union leader, the airline circulated a memo describing an experiment in which cleaning crews briefly board aircraft during turnarounds to clean only the premium extra-legroom section.
Under the reported plan, the rest of the cabin would continue to receive the standard between-flight tidy typically handled by flight attendants. That process usually involves collecting visible trash and straightening seatbelts rather than fully sanitizing seats or tray tables.
The test comes as Southwest reshapes its long-standing service model. After decades of open seating, the Dallas-based carrier recently introduced assigned seats and premium extra-legroom rows as part of a broader shift toward tiered pricing and onboard services.
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