Southwest Airlines Reverses Course on Major Change
Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines introduced a policy that restricts cabin jumpseat access to pilots and flight attendants only.
The change came after the Transport Workers Union Local 556 (TWU 556), which represents the airline's flight attendants, advocated for the change in the name of safety.
"Now that Flight Attendants are required in Initial training to perform a physical standards test in addition to operating the door and all emergency evacuation protocols, we request that only Crew occupy the cabin jumpseat(s). Having non-Crew individuals sit in the cabin jumpseat can disrupt in-flight duties," it claimed.
"Only other Flight Attendants understand the needs of working crews, and only Flight Attendants are properly trained and qualified in evacuation procedures each year. During an evacuation, having an individual on the jumpseat who is not fully trained and qualified to evacuate an aircraft is not the industry standard and does not provide the highest level of safety."
Now Southwest is reversing course on the change.
Southwest Airlines Rethinks Jumpseat Access
The airline's mechanics filed a grievance against Southwest following the change and now the airline is returning access to jump seats to all airline employees, according to View From the Wing.
The mechanics union came to a settlement with the airline, it announced.
"The Union was scheduled to arbitrate the jumpseat grievance this week in Dallas. However, that arbitration has been canceled as the ALRs, with Legal, finalized a settlement agreement that will return cabin jumpseat access to AMFA members," the statement read.
"Like the cockpit jumpseat, members will need to take a short CBT annually to occupy the cabin jumpseat. The Company will make good faith efforts to implement this within 45 days, but in no event later than September 1. A more detailed update will be released from the ALRs in the coming days."
The transport workers union was less than pleased with the decision.
"Today, Southwest Airlines informed TWU Local 556 that it is reversing its jumpseat policy and will once again allow all employees - regardless of crew qualifications - to occupy the jumpseat," it said in the statement. "TWU Local 556's position is that jumpseat occupancy should be limited to crew-qualified employees. This is not about privilege or access; it is about safety for everyone on the airplane."
It suggested only those with the required level of training and "operational familiarity" that flight attendants possess should be able to occupy the jumpseat.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 9:19 PM.