Southwest Airlines urges passengers to report 'any unwelcome behavior' during flight

Southwest Airlines flight attendants regularly tweak preflight announcements to make passengers laugh — who hasn't heard the "If you're traveling with small children, we're sorry'' crack when the oxygen masks are mentioned?

But the airline's latest change to in-flight announcements is anything but a joke.

Southwest has joined Alaska Airlines in asking passengers to report any unwelcome behavior to flight attendants. The changes come amid high-profile reports of passengers reporting sexual assaults by a seatmate.

Kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart said in a CBS interview in early February that she was sleeping on a Delta Air Lines flight to Utah last year when she awoke to the feeling of "someone's hand rubbing in between my legs on my inner thigh."

In December, two Frontier Airlines passengers who say they were sexually assaulted by passengers on separate flights in 2018 filed a lawsuit against the airline for allegedly refusing to help them and either not having or failing to follow policies to respond to assaults.

Southwest enhanced its preflight script at the end of January to end with this statement: "We are here for your comfort and safety. Please report any unwelcome behavior to a flight attendant.''

The previous ending: "Thank you for your attention. Please sit back, relax and enjoy your flight. Welcome aboard Southwest Airlines.''

"Southwest's intention is to remind our customers that flight attendants are a friendly, professional resource for reporting any unwelcome behaviors or conduct during a flight,'' spokesman Brian Parrish said in a statement.

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Alaska Airlines started asking passengers to report any unwelcome behavior as part of an updated preflight announcement in January 2018, spokesman Ray Lane said. It is designed to ensure passengers know flight attendants are available to help in this regard.

The Seattle-based airline revamped the briefing in conjunction with the union representing its flight attendants, the Association of Flight Attendants.

"We're happy to see Southwest following Alaska's lead,'' AFA spokeswoman Taylor Garland said in a statement. "At a minimum, all airlines should have this announcement to make clear to every passenger on board that sexual misconduct won't be tolerated."

American, United and Delta do not have similar language in their announcements, at least yet.

American spokesman Derek Walls said the airline's flight attendants are trained to address a "wide range'' of in-flight issues.

"We strive to create a safe, inclusive and comfortable environment for our customers and team members, and we do not tolerate unwelcome or inappropriate behavior of any kind,'' Walls said in a statement.

United spokeswoman Leslie Scott said the airline's passengers "should always feel empowered to contact a flight attendant if they have a concern while on board our aircraft.''

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Southwest Airlines urges passengers to report 'unwelcome behavior'