• Both an electrostatic disinfectant and an anti-microbial spray are applied on every surface of the aircraft, killing viruses on contact and forming an anti-microbial coating or shield for 30 days.
• Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, is used to clean onboard lavatories and tray tables before every flight.
• A 4-6 person crew also deep cleans every plane, from nose to tail, for more than 6 hours every night.
• We are also providing Customers with cleaning wipes upon boarding.
• These stringent cleaning policies and procedures are aligned with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• All of our aircraft are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which remove 99.97% of airborne particles—similar to technology found in hospitals.
• Our aircraft are designed with an air circulation system that mixes in fresh air from outside the plane with air inside the plane.
• Full exchange of cabin air with fresh, outdoor air and HEPA filtered air every 2-3 minutes.

While cleaning procedures vary airport to airport, we are cleaning our gate areas, ticket counters, and baggage claim areas multiple times a day.

We understand it’s important to remove unnecessary touchpoints. That’s why we are encouraging everyone to maintain a physical distance wherever possible and limit hand-to-hand contact with others. We are also requiring that all Customers wear a protective mask or face covering in the airport and on the plane. (Began May 11)

Here are a few ways you can limit contact:

• Download the Southwest® App for a mobile boarding pass to avoid exchanging paper with others.
• Hold up your credentials for verification versus passing it to an Employee.
• At gate check, scan and keep your boarding pass instead of handing it to the Southwest Gate Agent.

Yes, Federal law requires each person to wear a mask at all times throughout the flight, including during boarding and deplaning. Refusing to wear a mask is a violation of federal law and may result in denial of boarding, removal from the aircraft, and/or penalties under federal law. On the aircraft, if wearing oxygen masks is needed because of loss of cabin pressure or other event affecting aircraft ventilation, masks should be removed to accommodate oxygen masks.

Masks are also required in the airport.

If you forget your mask at home, a mask will be available for you.

Acceptable forms of masks

In accordance with the Federal law, a properly worn mask completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head, and fits snugly against the side of the face. Cloth masks should be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source). Neck gaiters (also called multi-bands) may be worn as mask so long as they have two layers of fabric or may be folded to make two layers and cover the nose and mouth and are secured under the chin.

In addition, if your mask meets the requirements noted above, the following are acceptable:

• Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel to facilitate communication with people who are hearing impaired or others who need to see a speaker’s mouth to understand speech.
• Medical masks and N-95 respirators.

The following are some examples of coverings that will not be accepted:

• Masks not made of a solid piece of material, including those made of mesh or lace fabrics or with slits, exhalation valves or punctures
• Face shields (face shields may be worn in addition to a mask that meets the above required attributes)
• Bandanas, scarves, ski masks, or balaclavas
• Shirt or sweater collars (e.g., turtleneck collars) pulled up over the mouth and nose
• Masks made from loosely woven fabric or that are knitted, i.e., fabrics that let light pass through
• Masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)

Exemptions to face coverings

• Young children under the age of 2.
• Beginning March 14, 2021, Southwest Airlines will consider applications for exemptions from this mask requirement from Passengers with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or who cannot safely wear a mask because of the disability. Several conditions apply that must be completed/adhered to prior to travel and receiving a mask exemption. For more details on this policy and for access to the submission form, please visit here.

When the Federal law requires Customers to wear a mask

• Customers will be required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times during their Southwest travel experience—while checking in, boarding, while in flight, deplaning, retrieving baggage; and any other time they may engage with a Southwest Employee or another Customer. Customers are required to wear a mask in order to board the plane.
• The following are times when a Customer may need to briefly remove their mask:
  • When necessary for identity verification purposes such as during Transportation Security Administration screening or when asked to do so by our Employees or any law enforcement official
  • While eating, drinking, or taking oral medications. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking; the mask must be worn between bites and sips.
  • While communicating with a person who is hearing impaired when the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
  • If, on an aircraft, wearing of oxygen masks is needed because of loss of cabin pressure or other event affecting aircraft ventilation
  • If unconscious (for reasons other than sleeping), incapacitated, unable to be awakened, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

• Yes, per federal mask mandate, the requirement to wear a mask applies to all passengers ages 2 and over, including vaccinated persons. Please continue to adhere to all current travel requirements, including United States Government requirements for flights arriving in the United States and other federal, state, international, and local COVID-19 travel restrictions that apply to your specific itinerary. For more information regarding travel requirements for specific destinations, please click here.

• TSA is making a medical exception for hand sanitizer and will allow each passenger to pack up to 12 oz. in a carryon bag, but those Passengers will need to be screened separately.
• Additionally, Southwest will provide hand sanitizer in the lobby, at gate podiums, and baggage claim areas. We will have cleaning wipes onboard upon request.
• We encourage Customers to wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer and/or anti-bacterial wipes when traveling.

We are serving a limited selection of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks on flights over 250 miles, when available. Straws are available on request.

As always, you’re welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages onboard. However, FAA regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on the aircraft unless it is served by the air carrier.

The TSA has made some adjustments to security screening touchpoints to support physical-distancing and are routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and security screening equipment. Learn more at tsa.gov/coronavirus.

Please stay at home and do not travel if you have recently been diagnosed with or are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

• If you’ve recently had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, the CDC recommends quarantining for 10 days in your home and avoiding air travel.

If you’re unable to rebook your travel on Southwest.com, please call us at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA so we can help modify your reservation.

The well-being of our Employees, as well as Customers, is our top priority. We are implementing the following safeguards for our Teams:

• We are providing masks to all Customer-facing Employees. They are required to wear masks or face coverings anytime while serving Customers. Employees will not be required to wear masks while they are on break in the galley or terminal, unless they are unable to maintain a physical distance or required by a local, state, or federal order.
• We have installed Plexiglas® barriers in the following areas: Ticket counters (bag drop and full-service locations), gate podiums, and baggage service offices.
• The ticket counters, gates, and baggage claim areas are being cleaned multiple times a day.