DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) pilots have been observed making in-flight announcements referring to the “Gulf of America” instead of the traditional “Gulf of Mexico” following President Trump’s executive order.
This trend has sparked discussions among passengers and flight attendants about whether these announcements are informational or political in nature.
Photo: Jeffrey S.S | PexelsName Change Opposition
Despite polls showing 70-71% of Americans oppose the name change, some pilots appear to be adopting the new terminology, creating a notable divide between cockpit crew members who use “Gulf of America” and flight attendants who continue to reference the “Gulf of Mexico” (MEX).
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, describing it as an “indelible part of America.” This decision has faced significant criticism both domestically and internationally, PYOK reported.
Multiple polls confirm the unpopularity of this change among American citizens:
- Marquette Law School poll: 71% opposed, 29% in favor
- Reuters/Ipsos poll: 70% opposed, 25% in support
While the U.S. Geological Survey and Geographic Names Information System have implemented the change in official documentation, international organizations have maintained the original name. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) continues to recognize it as the Gulf of Mexico, aligning with global naming conventions.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrSouthwest Pilot Supports Trump
A growing division has emerged between cockpit and cabin crews regarding terminology:
“Pilot just came on telling us we’d be flying over the Gulf of America (unironic). I’m now concerned about his mental well-being,” reported one Southwest passenger on Reddit.
Another Reddit user claiming to be a Southwest pilot stated: “At Southwest Airlines, we call it the Gulf of America, its official name. Don’t fly with us if you don’t like it, liberal. We’re a real American airline.”
Flight attendants appear to be deliberately emphasizing “Gulf of Mexico” in their announcements, with one passenger noting a United Airlines (UA) flight attendant on flight UA1528 from Tampa (TPA) to Houston (IAH) repeatedly using the traditional name when discussing potential Wi-Fi issues.
The naming discrepancy creates potential confusion in aviation communications. While domestic agencies have adopted “Gulf of America,” international flight operations continue using “Gulf of Mexico” in accordance with ICAO standards.
Photo: Clément Alloing, and brian_wahlstrom | Threads | Compounded by Aviation A2ZSimilar Incident
A Frontier Airlines (F9) pilot has ignited controversy after wearing a Trump cap while operating flight 3212 from Los Angeles to Dallas-Fort Worth on March 31, 2025. The incident, which appears to violate company policy, quickly gained traction across social media platforms.
One passenger publicly criticized the pilot’s decision, stating: “I don’t care which side of the aisle you’re on, wearing political merch while captaining a commercial airliner is unprofessional. I used to work for an airline, and this is absolutely unacceptable. Saw this on my flight from LAX to DFW yesterday. Passengers deserve a neutral, professional space.”
Comedian Steve Hofstetter added fuel to the debate, commenting on Threads: “He probably assumes that all his passengers agree with him because you don’t fly Frontier unless you’re a terrible decision-maker.”
The incident has divided public opinion regarding workplace political expression. User tony.rodrigues81 defended the pilot, arguing: “It’s called freedom of speech. I don’t care what he thinks, feels, or believes. All I care about is if he is the best damn pilot and can fly the plane. Last time I checked, my number one concern when flying, is landing home safely. Everything can wait.”
Taking the opposite stance, turnerlee1794 wrote: “This is a pilot who wore that hat to offend someone because he is well aware that that hat offends millions. This is a person who has your life in his hands and wants to mock and offend you. He should be fired.”
Several commenters highlighted that the pilot’s actions contradict Frontier Airlines’ own political expression policies, which explicitly prohibit using company resources for political purposes and require employees to separate personal political views from professional duties.
Another user broadened the discussion: “What about flight attendants wearing a pride flag on their uniform? Or is that ok with you because it doesn’t say Trump. I personally don’t give 2 shots of what the flight crew is wearing, I care about having a crew that can handle flying the plane with a safe takeoff and landing, anything else is just retarded to be upset about.”
Feature Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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The post Southwest Pilot Calls Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’ in Support of Trump appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
