# Southwest Airlines Restricts Jumpseat Access to Pilots and Flight Attendants

_Mar 10 12:27_

Tags: Southwest, Southwest Airlines, policy change, airline, devaluation, safety & operations, service policy change

Southwest Airlines has updated its employee travel policy, limiting cabin jumpseat usage to pilots and flight attendants. Non-crew employees like gate agents can no longer use jumpseats when flights are full

## Summary

Southwest Airlines is updating its employee travel policy to restrict the use of cabin jumpseats. Previously, non-revenue employees such as reservations and gate agents could fly in jumpseats when passenger seats were full. Under the new rules, only pilots and flight attendants are eligible for jumpseat travel. The change was advocated for by TWU Local 556, the flight attendant union, citing safety and operational efficiency. They argued that non-crew members are not fully trained in evacuation protocols and that restricting access ensures only qualified personnel occupy the seats, which also helps flight attendants who commute. The impact is primarily on Southwest employees. For non-crew staff, this reduces their standby options during busy periods, as they can no longer utilize jumpseats if passenger seats are taken by other employees or passengers. Flight attendants benefit from increased odds of securing a seat and less disruption in the galley area

## Why it matters

Affects 3 airline programs (Southwest, Southwest Airlines, Turkish Airlines).

## Sources cited

- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/southwest-airlines-bans-employees-flying-jumpseats) — Southwest Airlines Bans Many Employees From Flying In Jumpseats

## Related signals

- [Southwest takes up to 25% off Rapid Rewards awards through November 9](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/southwest-award-sale-get-up-to-25-off-when-booking-with-rapid-rewards-points.md)
- [December 2 is the cutoff for Southwest bonuses toward Companion Pass](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/southwests-new-credit-card-bonuses-offer-up-to-90-000-points-toward-companion-pa.md)
- [Chase raises Southwest signup bonuses to 80,000-90,000 points](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/targeted-chase-southwest-plus-card-80-000-points-signup-bonus.md)
- [Southwest adds Platinum at 140,000 points on January 1, 2027](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/how-southwests-new-2027-elite-status-compares-to-american-delta-and-united.md)
- [Southwest will open 11 Icon Lounges from late 2027](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/southwest-will-open-11-airport-lounges-starting-in-2027-here-s-what-we-know.md)

Older: [Air Canada Launches 4 New US Routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Following US Preclearance Opening](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/billy-bishop-toronto-city-airport-opens-us-preclearance-facility-enabling-new-us.md)
Newer: [Starbucks Rewards Program Overhaul Live: Elite Tiers and New Earning Rates](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/starbucks-rewards-program-overhaul-live-elite-tiers-new-earning-rates-and-redemp.md)

Canonical URL: https://thetravelsignal.com/s/southwest-airlines-restricts-jumpseat-use-to-pilots-and-flight-attendants