Overview

• Southwest operated its first revenue flight using the new secondary cockpit barrier on Aug. 29 between Phoenix and Denver on a newly delivered Boeing 737 MAX 8.
• The airline plans to use the feature immediately on all new deliveries and expects about 25 additional Boeing aircraft with the barrier this year.
• The FAA requires a second physical barrier on newly built Part 121 airliners to delay any intrusion when the flight deck door is open.
• After Airlines for America sought more time citing certification and training needs, the FAA extended the compliance timeline by roughly a year to 2026, a move criticized by pilot unions.
• The mandate does not require retrofitting existing aircraft, the FAA estimates about $35,000 per plane for the barrier, and Boeing and Airbus have begun delivering equipped jets.