Southwest Airlines to reduce COVID-19 sanitizing efforts between flights

Southwest Airlines announced it would be cutting back cabin cleaning procedures instituted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline started the procedures back in March along with limited airplane capacity.
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Southwest said it will continue to limit airplane capacity through the end of October; all middle seats will remain empty to allow for social distancing.

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However, cleanings between each flight will now focus on specific high touch areas such as tray tables and lavatories.
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Seat belts and armrests will no longer be wiped down and sanitized between each flight. Overnight cleanings will still include sanitizing those areas.

In a memo to flight attendants, the policy change will reduce the time it takes for planes to remain on the ground between flights.

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