Starting in December 2023, Southwest Airlines will change its protocol for cabin service by preparing for landing at 18,000 feet rather than the previous 10,000 feet. This adjustment, as explained by a company spokesperson, is implemented to help reduce the risk of injuries during turbulence for both crew members and passengers.

The change means that passengers will need to complete their usual pre-landing tasks, such as fastening seatbelts and ensuring their seats are upright, earlier in the flight. Turbulence-related incidents, while rarely fatal, have accounted for a significant number of injuries in recent years, with over one-third of airline incidents in the U.S. from 2009 to 2018 linked to turbulence, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

In a notable incident, a 73-year-old man tragically lost his life on a Singapore Airlines flight due to severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean. In addition to this new cabin procedure, Southwest Airlines has also decided to retire its long-standing "open seating" policy, where passengers would choose their seats after boarding. Starting next year, the airline will require assigned seating for its passengers.