Southwest Airlines is testing a controversial new policy that has flight attendants calling it an insult to passengers. The airline is now having cabin cleaners only service premium extra legroom seat areas between flights, leaving the rest of the aircraft to be tidied by flight attendants.

This latest move comes after Southwest ended its free checked bag policy and switched to assigned seating in January, moves that already sparked backlash. The airline has struggled with boarding chaos and overhead bin space since charging for checked bags in May. Flight attendants have been cleaning planes between flights to maintain quick turnarounds, but the new policy creates a visible two-tier system.

TWU Local 556 union representative Chris Click compared the situation to the Titanic, saying premium passengers get "super clean airplanes" while others see only "half-hearted, tidied airplanes." The policy highlights Southwest's ongoing identity crisis as it abandons its customer-friendly reputation. With flight attendants and passengers already frustrated by recent changes, this premium-only cleaning test could further damage the airline's brand if fully implemented.