On Mar 26th 2026, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N212WN, operating flight WN-2414 from Orlando International Airport to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, was forced to return shortly after reaching cruise altitude due to a cracked windshield.
The aircraft had just levelled off at FL360 when the flight crew identified the issue. Recognizing the potential risk associated with windshield damage at high altitude, the pilots made the precautionary decision to discontinue the flight and return to Orlando.
The jet descended and landed safely on runway 35L approximately 45 minutes after departure. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the return was prompted by a cracked windshield, and an investigation into the incident has been initiated.
While such occurrences are uncommon, commercial aircraft windshields are designed with multiple layers to withstand significant stress, allowing crews to safely manage situations like this. The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection and repair following the incident.