Southwest Airlines sends cheques and travel vouchers to passengers on fatal flight

Southwest Airlines has sent a letter of apology, a $6500 cheque and a $1300 travel voucher to passengers who were on a fatal flight that made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after a woman was sucked out of the aircraft.

“Please accept our deepest apologies,” Chairman Gary Kelly wrote in a letter dated April 18, a day after the accident.

An engine on a Southwest jet exploded Tuesday while the plane was flying from New York to Dallas and debris hit it, causing extensive damage.

Banking executive Jennifer Riordan, 43, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was fatally injured when she was sucked partway through a shattered window, sending passengers scrambling to help her as the aircraft shook violently and went into a rapid descent.

“We value you as our customer and hope you will allow us another opportunity to restore your confidence in Southwest as the airline you can count on for your travel needs,” Mr Kelly wrote in his letter.

“In this spirit, we are sending you a [cheque] in the amount of US$5000 (more than AU$6500) to cover any of your immediate financial needs.

“As a tangible gesture of our heartfelt sincerity, we are also sending you a $1000 travel voucher."

Passenger Marty Martinez, of Dallas, said he had no immediate plan to cash the cheque. He wanted to talk to a lawyer.

“I didn’t feel any sort of sincerity in the email whatsoever, and the $6000 total that they gave to each passenger I don’t think comes even remotely close to the price that many of us will have to pay for a lifetime,” he said on Friday as he prepared to board a Southwest flight from New York.

Mr Martinez documented the ordeal via Facebook livestream, saying he thought it would be his last moments on Earth.

Eric Zilbert - of Davis, California - said he did not have a problem with the letter. He said he appreciated he would not have to file claim forms.

After checking with his attorney, he decided he would cash his cheque.

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“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t preclude anything by taking the voucher or the check,” he said.

The plane was carrying 144 passengers. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the engine explosion.

A public memorial service for Ms Riordan is set for Sunday in Albuquerque.