This scuttlebutt is bad news for the butt.
Flying with Southwest Airlines can mean flying with spills, liquids, flakes and misery left by the guy sitting in the seat right in front of you, according to shocking allegations that the company only plans to clean “premium seats” between flights.
Chris Click, safety chairman of the Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents Southwest Airlines flight workers, received a memo about “the inspections they do with the cleaners who come to clean the plane,” this week, according to Views From The Wing, an online travel agency.
In the since-deleted video, Click reportedly likened allegations that Southwest prioritized first-class passengers — including three willing to pay for extra lounge space — over economy fliers and those of senior citizens on the ill-fated Titanic.
He joked that cleaning the seats only for premium ticket holders is like the rich on the Titanic, “who smoke and drink brandy and tell their stories of their indescribable wealth” while the people “below the stake” suffer.
However, a Southwest representative disputed Click’s memo in a statement to The Post, saying that their flight crews were “collecting every flight between every flight today.”
They also noted that “their seats in the extended room face the front of the plane, so they see more foot traffic than the seats in the back.”
“We will continue to ensure that our flight is convenient for all Customers, regardless of where their seats are on the plane,” they told The Post.
The news comes amid the budget airline’s controversial seat shake-up, such as its recent decision to eliminate open seats.
Rumors of its changing sanitation have regular flyers on the tailpin.
“Southwest Airlines [is] I’ll only clean your seat if it smells like money,” wrote an enraged X user. “All you aliens can live in the germ-filled mess left by all the other poor people.”
“Southwest Airlines has turned to public transportation. It’s dirty and expensive,” another scarfed.
“Not a big enough ‘FU’ in my fonts,” tweeted an equally angry critic, in part.
The apparent anointing of the airline comes days after travelers deemed its new seating policy a “disaster,” likening it to extortion. Since January, the Texas-based imprint has barred customers from choosing a seat when boarding a flight, forcing some to pay higher fees for extra lounge space.
But when it comes to jumping on the hygiene bandwagon, the airline may not have a leg to stand on — especially after recent scientific swab tests revealed large amounts of germs covering airplane seats.
The alleged move to reduce mid-flight cleaning is reportedly based on Southwest’s commitment to getting planes ready for takeoff as quickly as possible.
“They spend less time on the ground and more time in the air, but the planes are not clean,” the tourism statement said. “Flight crew are not expected to go into back pockets, for example.”
However, cabin crew members will reportedly continue to clean all cabins, collect visible trash and adjust seat belts.
But there will be no flight attendants or official cleaning team responsible for cleaning the second-class seats and tray tables, if the alleged changes to Southwest’s policies are true.
Here are the top 5 tips from aviation veterans for surviving the unsanitary aftermath of flights.
- Clean all seating areas – tray tables, seat cushions, armrests, screens and seat belts
- Avoid touching the seat bag
- Use a blanket as a chair cover
- Keep your shoes on
- Pay attention to your surroundings before putting down your carry-on
