Southwest Airlines is ending cabin service sooner on flights

Starting Wednesday, flight attendants will begin preparing cabins for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of the current 10,000 feet.

This means that in-flight cabin service will end about 10 minutes earlier than it does now. Backrests must be raised, and tray tables must also be stowed earlier.

“The change in procedures is designed to reduce the risk of in-flight turbulence injuries for our crew members and customers. It is the result of the airline’s close collaboration with its Labor partners and a robust approach to Safety Management,” Southwest said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Nothing is more important to Southwest Airlines than the safety of our customers and employees.

There have already been several incidents of severe turbulence across airlines this year. Video shared on social media showed passengers screaming and jumping in their seats on a turbulent Scandinavian Airlines flight earlier this month. Food and drinks were sent flying when an Air Canada flight hit turbulence in October. Four American Airlines flight attendants were hospitalized after a turbulent flight in August. A United Airlines passenger was hospitalized due to turbulence that same month. In May, one person died and 30 others were injured by severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight. Korean Air adjusted its cabin service policies over the summer due to turbulence concerns.