Hawaiian is blocking the sale of middle seats on certain aircraft through Dec. 15, 2020. CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners. Low fares may not be enough to lure many travelers. When the pandemic came to the United States at the beginning of 2020, airlines … With a flight attendant’s permission, passengers may move to avoid sitting near other travelers, if seats are available elsewhere on the aircraft. American has also increased the frequency of cleaning areas it controls throughout the airport, including ticket counters, team member rooms and gates. (photo via Jetlinerimages/iStock Unreleased) Less than a week after announcing it would end its policy on blocking middle seats and return to flying at capacity, United Airlines defended its decision today. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. In some cases, that results in an aircraft that is more full than expected, making social distancing difficult. The airline has reduced inflight service to limit onboard interaction, so customers are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks onboard. Southwest spends at least six hours cleaning all aircraft overnight, and the carrier says it is using a disinfectant to clean tray tables and lavatories before every flight. All JetBlue crew members and passengers over the age of two are required to wear face coverings or masks. These policies will all kick in as of late April, and as of now will be valid through May 31, 2020, though presumably have the potential to be extended based on how the situation unfolds. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Service has been limited, but water and snacks may be served on flights over 250 miles. Ultimately, traveling right now does carry some risk, even though it may be impossible to quantify. Spirit passengers and customer-facing employees are required to wear masks or face coverings. Finally, the airline is requiring passengers to undergo a temperature check at boarding — customers with temperatures at or above 100.4 degrees will be denied boarding. Delta is requiring that all employees and contractors wear masks, and passengers are required to wear face coverings as well, at all Delta areas in the airport and onboard all flights. … People like empty middle seats in the best of times, but only four airlines currently offer flights without occupied middle seats. MileagePlus members. United Airlines. Spirit Airlines. A more thorough disinfectant cleaning will take place when time allows between flights. Middle seats will remain open until Sept. 30th. And, as always, individuals who don’t feel comfortable traveling right now should take advantage of their airline’s flexible change or cancellation policy to cancel or postpone their trip. Until Oct. 15, JetBlue was blocking all middle seats for purchase on its larger aircraft, and most aisle seats were “blocked for purchase" on smaller aircraft. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. As part of the road to its recovery, the airline is opting against blocking middle seats and is instead offering free flight changes for passengers when more than 70% of seats are booked. Outside of increased cleaning protocols, waived flight change fees and other basic protocols that all airlines are utilizing, it looks like you’re in for a full flight. All Allegiant customers, flight attendants and airport employees are required to wear face coverings. and applying a disinfectant fogging before every flight. Detours with locals. Instead, it will simply alert travelers if their upcoming flight is 70% full or more. Alaska Airlines also intends to extend the seat block policy until after the Christmas period. [New Zealand covid-19 flight outbreak linked to passenger who tested negative], Through Jan. 6, 2021, Alaska Airlines says it is “limiting the number of guests on our flights and blocking seats.” Gate agents may reassign groups or families to be seated together, although the airline notes that “there can be occasions where extra space cannot be guaranteed due to unforeseen changes such as re-accommodating guests from a previously canceled flight.”, After Dec. 15, Hawaiian Airlines says it will no longer limit capacity to prevent booking middle seats. -limit the number of customers on board all aircraft – with or without middle seats.-limit the First Class cabin to half capacity to further ensure more space between customers.-block one aisle of seats on aircraft without middle seats. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All employees are required to wear face masks and all passengers age two and above are required to wear face coverings as well, at all Frontier areas within the airport and onboard all flights. All Southwest employees are required to wear face masks and passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings during their entire journey as well. If a flight exceeds 65% capacity, passengers can be notified about possible reaccomodation options. AA says it will instead alert passengers when their flights are getting full during the check-in process, giving them the chance to switch, free of charge, if their flight is eligible. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Chan School of Public Health and the Department of Defense have validated that the risk of viral transmission on board a commercial aircraft is extremely low.”. American requires masks for all employees and passengers are required to wear masks as well, from the time they enter their departure airport to the time they leave the airport upon arrival. American and United adopted policies of keeping the middle seats vacant last spring but rescinded that policy over the last couple of months as demand for air travel has gradually increased. Frontier has added a special “health acknowledgment” at check-in, asking passengers to confirm that they nor anyone in their household has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days, that they’ve checked their temperature and do not have a fever and that they will sanitize their hands before the flight. During boarding, the airline will provide passengers with health and safety kits, which include face masks, gloves and hand wipes. United Airlines is joining the list of airlines introducing policies to encourage social distancing, including blocking seats. PHOTO: United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner at LAX. They’re blocking middle seats on larger aircraft and certain aisle seats on smaller ones, at least through Sept. 8th. Featured photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy. United Airlines is one airline company that plans to sell middle seats on its fight amid the coronavirus pandemic and calls for social distancing. For travel after that date, however, the airline quietly updated its seating policy to remove that middle-seat guarantee, and in November the airline reversed its seat-blocking policy. Southwest Airlines has updated its COVID-19 policy limiting sales to ensure the middle seat stays open through at least Sept. 30, 2020. Spirit is offering self bag-drop stations at select airports, minimizing interactions with employees. Some of the procedures we’re seeing include: While it’s important to check with your airline as things can change by the day, here’s what you can expect when traveling on each U.S. carrier: Let’s break the policies down in more detail below, giving you an idea of what to expect throughout your journey. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. JetBlue is not blocking middle seats, but is trying to give passengers some space. United utilizes electrostatic spraying before most flights, in addition to regular preflight aircraft cleaning procedures. United Airlines recently announced that it was making some middle seats unavailable for passengers to select. The airline has also installed clear shields at counters, added “distance dots” to promote distancing and shifted to an “on-demand” snack service. Gate agents will also board fewer passengers at a time, in an effort to avoid crowding in the jet bridge, and will encourage passengers to scan their own boarding passes. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Airlines and medical experts spar over whether or not the middle seat should be blocked. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Will psychedelic mushroom vacations come to the U. S.? Additionally, as demand begins to pick up, carriers may continue to feel financial pressure to adjust seat-blocking policies — with slim margins, it’s hard for a flight to turn a profit if you aren’t allowing travelers to purchase a third of the seats. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The airline is boarding passengers from the rear of the aircraft to the front, to minimize interactions onboard. While passengers may see almost entirely unreserved seat maps at booking — expecting to find those conditions onboard — airlines are canceling and consolidating flights. The airline said on an earnings call that it will notify passengers two days before travel if their flight is near full, and will give passengers the option to be rebooked onto another flight free if one is available. JetBlue JetBlue makes it easy to purchase an additional seat for extra personal space, however, with detailed instructions provided on the airline’s website. AA encourages customers to bring their own face coverings, though a limited supply of masks may be available at the gate. Additionally, testing and/or a 14-day quarantine may be required for all passengers traveling to Hawaii, as outlined in this detailed guide. Starting Dec. 1, JetBlue is no longer blocking seats for sale. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Almost all U.S. carriers now require passengers to cover their faces onboard, and Alaska, Delta and Southwest each are capping ticket sales, effectively blocking middle seats, as detailed in my guide outlining distancing-related airline policies. American says it is thoroughly cleaning aircraft between flights, including using an EPA-approved disinfectant to clean common customer touchpoints (armrests, seat belts, tray tables, etc. https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/nxfjYY5X1OmODzMvrNNCDc2w8qo=/480x0/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-stat/newsletter/btw-promo.jpg, A man’s scheme to get free Spirit flights landed him a jail sentence. [What to know about getting tested for the coronavirus to travel]. MileagePlus members seated in United Economy may be able to purchase a seat in Economy Plus, take advantage of premium cabin seating offers *, or request a MileagePlus Travel Award or MileagePlus Upgrade Award.The availability of these options varies based on whether you're booking travel, have already booked travel, or are eligible for check-in. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional information. JetBlue is limiting onboard capacity through Jan. 7, 2021, but the airline is no longer guaranteeing that passengers won’t be seated next to a stranger. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. She's lived in the south of Spain, eaten her way around Sri Lanka, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, and spelunked in the remote Caribbean. Note that the airline does not guarantee a blocked seat, however, as the carrier may choose to use those seats to accommodate passengers on previously canceled flights. In cases where more than 70% of passengers have checked in, the airline will allow customers to move to another flight free of charge. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. This is e ven though the airline is burning through four million a day – it could really use the revenue a middle seat would provide. The airline is boarding economy passengers from back to front. Now, one of those airlines is rolling back the policy. Up until now, in a move adopted by most U.S. airlines, American had blocked about half of its economy-class middle seats, meaning that sales for each flight had been limited to … View our latest valuations here. Southwest began limiting the number of seats sold on its flights in May and continued the practice through the Thanksgiving travel rush. A number of readers have reached out to note that United, too, is blocking middle seats, referencing an April 29 email from Chief Customer Officer Toby … Middle seats American Airlines no longer blocks off the middle seat and allows planes to fly completely full. The airline is boarding economy passengers from back to front. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. American does not permit masks with valves or vents, and customers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. Travel better with news, tips and guides that make you feel like a local wherever you go. This equates to blocked middle seats, although they are maintaining their open seating policy. Gate agents are making frequent announcements to encourage social distancing, and the airline has added signage to encourage the practice in lines, in the gate area and onboard aircraft. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. According to the airline’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage, Spirit’s “expanded aircraft cleaning protocols include hospital-grade disinfectants and antibacterial processes that keep all surfaces throughout the cabin free of viruses and bacteria.”. Middle seats: United will not promise to keep middle seats empty. Masks are available upon request at ticket counters, gates and onboard flights. If a passenger cannot accept the health acknowledgment, they’ll be issued a credit for a future Frontier flight. United was the first big U.S. carrier to give up on blocking middle seats. If you refuse to follow United's face covering policy while in the airport or on board a United flight, you will be refused transport and could also lose your travel privileges on United for at least the time that United’s mandatory face covering policy is in effect. 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. United Airlines Won’t Block Middle Seats, Here’s How To Protect Yourself From COVID-19 by Gary Leff on May 12, 2020 Delta and American Airlines are limiting the number of seats they’ll sell on each flight, to give customers confidence they can travel without having another passenger squeezed up next to them in a middle seat. Traditionally, fall is a good time to look for … You can still pick your seat and sit together, however. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some airlines blocked selling middle seats to allow passengers to social distance while flying. How do travel bubbles work? U.S. airlines have been continuously updating their social distancing policies and rolling out requirements aimed at avoiding the spread of germs in-flight. American Airlines is no longer blocking seats, and all aircraft may be sold to capacity. Travel tips you can trust. Driving may seem like a safer alternative, but with food and fuel stops, bathroom visits and overnight stays on longer car journeys, avoiding air travel entirely isn’t always the logical pick. 4 questions, answered. And some airlines recently ended the practice. But United’s Earnest told CNN (via Inc.) that “keeping the seat next to you open is not going to make a material difference.” The airline is still leaving seats open as first-come, first-served based on boarding group. See, firm requirements from the federal government, see this post for a closer look at the airline’s current procedures, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Blocking seats to encourage social distancing (dates vary by airline; see below for your carrier), Compulsory face coverings for passengers and/or crew, Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. United is selling flights to capacity. For months, as most Americans limited trips outside their homes, airline passenger loads plummeted to levels most of us could have never imagined. Delta will continue to block all middle seats through at least Mar. Southwest has shifted from boarding groups of 30 passengers at a time to groups of 10, and gate agents are asking customers to scan their own boarding passes, minimizing interactions with staff. The airline said the practice “adds confidence and reassurance” for travel during the pandemic. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays United will make masks available to passengers upon request. Other measures. American Airlines and United Airlines have resumed selling potentially packed flights, now that they’ve reversed their temporary coronavirus-inspired policy of blocking middle seats. JetBlue says it is sanitizing surfaces throughout airport terminals more frequently and implementing other measures to limit contact, such as encouraging customers to scan their own boarding passes. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Delivered every Thursday. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Sanitizing wipes are also available onboard. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Policies are evolving constantly, so we recommend checking with your airline for the latest requirements. Some airlines will not fill the middle seat during this pandemic, though others are now booking all seats. However, without firm requirements from the federal government, policies differ significantly from one carrier to the next, creating a lot of confusion among travelers. Sun Country is selling all flights to capacity. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. Detours with locals.Travel tips you can trust. Many travelers, myself included, might start making booking decisions based on airline polices around seat restrictions and face masks for crew and passengers. Delta is thoroughly cleaning common touchpoints (armrests, seat belts, overhead controls, etc.) “This practice of effectively keeping middle seats open bridged us from the early days of the pandemic, when we had little knowledge about the behavior of the virus, to now,” Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly said in an October statement announcing the change. “As always, Southwest customers may choose their own seats,” Southwest says on its website about the boarding process. United is selling all flights to capacity. Face masks and sanitizing wipes are available upon request. Shannon McMahon is a reporter covering travel for By The Way, The Washington Post's travel destination. Through Jan. 6, 2021, Alaska is blocking middle seats. The only U.S. airline of the Big Three that is still committed to distancing seat assignments on flights, Delta will continue to block seats through March 30. The airline cited recent studies on the risk of in-flight coronavirus transmission, stating on its website that “respected researchers such as the Harvard T.H. Masks with exhaust valves are not allowed, and those who refuse to wear an approved mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. JetBlue will no longer allow passengers to wear masks with exhaust valves, and if you forget your face covering at home, the airline will provide one at the gate. The airline says currently 85% of its flights are less than half full. The airline is also requiring customers to complete a health acknowledgement prior to boarding. The new policy, which means middle seats will once again be filled on flights with strong demand, takes effect Dec. 1, after Thanksgiving but ahead of … Sun Country is requiring that all passengers and crew members wear face coverings. If you’re considering flying (or need to) any time soon, the airline you choose will almost certainly have a big impact on the social distancing involved in your flight. 30, 2021. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. “In Southwest’s open seating environment, families, or those traveling together, may still sit together and occupy a middle seat for their convenience.” Previously, middle seats were being accounted for in booking limits only through October, so the practice could again be extended. Passengers will board from the rear of the aircraft to the front. The Points Guy will not sell your email. In those cases, the airline will offer a free change to a flight with fewer seats occupied. Here are the major airlines that have been blocking off seats to maintain social distancing, and how long they say they will continue to do so. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. using a high-grade EPA disinfectant before every flight. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. TPG had an opportunity to witness an aircraft cleaning — see this post for a closer look at the airline’s current procedures. Alaska Airlines will have masks available for passengers who forget theirs at home. Airport employees and flight attendants are required to wear masks, and all passengers are required to wear masks during boarding, during the entire flight and during deplaning as well. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. United is requiring that all employees and passengers cover their faces in the airport and while onboard an aircraft. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Delta is also limiting first-class cabins to half-capacity, and it is “blocking one aisle of seats on aircraft without middle seats.” For bookings of three or more people, middle seats will appear as available in an effort to allow families to select seats together on the seat map. “Today, aligned with science-based findings from trusted medical and aviation organizations, we will resume selling all available seats for travel beginning December 1, 2020.”. Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline news! More recently, however, many U.S. states have eased restrictions, and an increasing number of travelers are taking to the skies once again. The airline is also applying an antimicrobial solution every seven days. 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