On 11 May 2026, Southwest Airlines flight WN2665 made an emergency landing at Tulsa after a cockpit windshield cracked and “exploded” during flight. The airplane was flying at an altitude of 31,000 feet over Oklahoma when the failure occurred.
According to passenger George Gonzales, the pilot addressed the passenger over the intercom, explaining that the windshield had cracked and they would have to divert to Tulsa for an emergency landing. They also mentioned that nothing struck the aircraft. The windshield started cracking, and then it just exploded.
Southwest Airlines also confirmed the incident and appreciated the professionalism of their crew for making a safe landing.
Key Facts Summary
- Flight: Southwest Airlines WN2665
- Route: Albuquerque (ABQ), New Mexico to Baltimore (BWI), Maryland
- Aircraft Age: 19.5 Years old
- Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
- Event: The Boeing 737-700 experienced a crack in the cockpit windshield (Captain’s side) at cruising altitude.
What Happened on Southwest Flight WN2665?
Southwest Airlines flight WN2665 departed from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in New Mexico and was enroute for Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) in Maryland. After one hour into the flight, while cursing at 31,000 feet, the cockpit windsheild on the captain’s side starts cracking, and its outer layer shatters and explodes. The pilot declared an emergency and addressed the passenger regarding diversion towards Tulsa International Airport. The airplane was flying over Oklahoma during this event. The oxygen masks were drop-downs as a precaution. The airplane makes a safe landing at TUL airport around 4:20 PM CDT.
Flight Details
Southwest Airlines typically has daily flights on the route ABQ-BWI in the early afternoon, which is known as Flight WN2665. The flight has a total duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes. The flight was loaded with approximately 76 passengers. The exact people on board are not officially shared by the airlines or authorities. No injuries were reported on board.
Southwest Airlines Official Statement & FAA Investigation
Southwest Airlines issued the following statement regarding Flight WN2665:
“Southwest Airlines Flight 2665 diverted safely to Tulsa due to a windshield crack. The flight landed uneventfully and customers were reaccommodated to Baltimore on another aircraft. We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
The FAA has opened a formal investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-700 winglet with MSN 32522 and registration N265WN. The aircraft was manufactured in 2007 and has remained with Southwest Airlines from the beginning.
Why Do Airplane Windshields Crack?
As said by the pilot, nothing has hit the aircraft during the flight. The windshield consists of 3-5 layers. The outer pane, the middle structural layer, the inner pane, and the heating element are between them. The heating element is a thin conductive film that prevents icing and fogging. The outer pane is a strong glass that absorbs stress or impact. The additional glass of vinyl or acrylic is placed in the middle structural layer. The inner pane is the last thick layer that will hold and maintain cabin pressure if the outer layer fails.
The common causes are thermal stress, material fatigue, FOD, pressure differential, or installation defects.
In the case of Southwest Airlines, the outer layer scattered and exploded. The inner pane was intact, but due to scattering on the outer glass, the captain had zero vision.
How Common are Cracked Windshield Incidents?
According to FAA data (circa 2022), U.S. airlines have reported more than 3 dozen windshield incidents over five years.
- In March 2026, a Southwest flight returned to Orlando due to a cracked windshield.
- In Oct 2025, United Airlines’ windshield cracked at 36,000 feet, making a diversion to Salt Lake City.
What Happened to the Passengers?
The airline arranged an alternative flight and rebooked the passenger on it at no fee. Some of the passengers were placed on the other carrier flight en route to Baltimore. After 4 hours of wait the flight arrived and took the passengers to their destination.
Compenstation
As for the compensation, the Southwest’s policy and the U.S. DOT agreement (from the 2022 enforcement action), passengers may be eligible for a transferable LUV Voucher (minimum $75) for significant controllable delays (mechanical issues like this count as within the airline’s control) when arrival is 3+ hours late. As of the latest, there is no confirmation that the airline has issued this voucher to the passenger.
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