Guide to Middle Seat Policy of Different Airlines

Guide to Middle Seat Policy of Different Airlines

The coronavirus pandemic, popularly called COVID-19, has brought a drastic change in the commercial aviation industry. The year 2020 was disastrous for the airlines. The passenger loads sharply declined to unimaginable proportions that the world had never witnessed. The extraordinary health crisis resulted in millions of deaths, and several millions gravely affected. This unfortunate situation brought the world to a standstill, and also created a fear psychosis in the minds of the people as far as travel was concerned. The airlines suffered huge financial losses due to depleting travel demand. However, while the world still continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic effect, the aviation industry has started opening up, and airlines are making their best efforts to boost confidence in the customers and offset the current losses in every way possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been eased in many U.S. states, and the air travelers are increasingly taking to the skies once again in a big way. The airlines at the same time are also taking adequate measures for the healthy well-being and safeguard of the passengers. Many U.S. airlines are taking stringent steps to update their social distancing policies continuously and implementing safety measures to avoid the germs from spreading onboard the flights. The safety procedures being implemented by the airlines include daily deep cleans and fogging of aircrafts, blocking middle seats for encouraging social distancing, and compulsory wearing of face masks by passengers and crew.

Let’s take a look at how the middle seats on the aircraft are being blocked keeping in view social distancing norms and enhanced passenger safety. The Middle Seat Policy and other COVID-19 procedures of major U.S. airlines are worth taking note of.

Delta Airlines Middle Seat Policy

Delta Airlines is committed to its customer’s healthy well-being and taking significant steps to alleviate COVID-19 fears on board its aircrafts. Before the departure of every flight the common touchpoints in the aircraft is thoroughly cleaned. These include overhead controls, seat belts, armrests, etc. A disinfectant fogging is also applied on every aircraft before departing. Delta Airlines also makes it mandatory for all passengers and crew members to wear face masks in the airport as well as onboard the flights. The passengers can also request for face masks which are available at the gates, ticket counters and onboard the flights. The airline may ban the passengers from boarding the flight if they refuse to wear a face covering or mask. However, the face masks with an exhaust valve are not allowed by the airline. According to Delta Airlines Middle Seat policy, the airline is blocking middle seats in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select until 31st March 2021. The customers who will be however traveling in parties of three or more, the airline will make the middle seat available for booking so that travel companions and families are seated together. If the flights are near the capped capacity on the routes then Delta Airlines will upgrade the said flight to a larger aircraft type or will be adding more flights. Delta Airlines has also assured that the number of passengers allowed in the Main Cabin will not be more than 70% of capacity of any aircraft being operated by the airline. The flights will also be boarded from the rear of the aircraft to the front for minimizing opportunities for customers coming into contact onboard the aircraft. The passengers are assured complete safety when making Delta Airlines reservations.

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American Airlines Middle Seat Policy

American Airlines wants to reassure its customers regarding the COVID-19 safety measures being currently implemented. The aircraft is being thoroughly cleaned between flights. An EPA-approved disinfectant is being used by American Airlines for cleaning common customer touchpoints like seat belts, armrests, tray tables, etc., along with galleys, cockpits and other crew areas. The wearing of face masks for all passengers and crew members is compulsory from the time of entering the departure airport till the time of leaving the airport upon arrival. The airline requires all customers to carry their own face coverings, and may ban them from boarding flights for refusing to wear masks. The customers will also have the option to move to another flight free of charge when at least 70% of passengers have checked in on flights they were to board. As per American Airlines Middle Seat policy, as of July 1 the middle seats are not being blocked and the cabins are being booked to full capacity. If however the flight is full then the passengers are provided the opportunity for booking another flight without paying any extra fee.

United Airlines Middle Seat Policy

United Airlines is implementing strict measures for the health and safeguard of its customers. Electrostatic spraying is being utilized by United Airlines before most flights. This is in addition to its regular preflight aircraft cleaning procedures. An antimicrobial solution is also being applied by the airline every seven days. Like other airlines, United Airlines also makes it mandatory for all its passengers and employees to use face coverings or masks both at the airport as well as on board the flight. The airline also prohibits vented masks, and may refuse boarding to those customers who are not ready to wear face masks. If the passengers aren’t carrying their masks then it can be made available by the airline upon request. According to United Airlines Middle Seat policy, the airline doesn’t block middle seat and sell all flights to capacity. If more than 70% of passengers have checked in then the customers will be allowed to book another flight without any change fee or get a travel credit for the next trip. The passengers will be boarding from the rear of the aircraft to the front for minimizing interactions onboard the flight. Fewer passengers will be allowed to board at a time by the airline’s gate agents so as to avoid crowding in the jet bridge. The passengers will also be encouraged to scan their own boarding passes as well.

Alaska Airlines Middle Seat Policy

A high-grade EPA disinfectant is being used by Alaska Airlines to clean common touchpoints like seat belts, overhead controls, armrests, etc, before every flight for the safety of its customers. All passengers two years and above as well as the employees of Alaska Airlines are required to wear masks compulsorily. The airline doesn’t allow masks with exhaust valves, and may ban all such customers from boarding the flight who refuse to wear face covering or wear an approved mask. The passengers who have forgotten to bring their masks may request for a mask from the airline. Keeping in view passenger’s enhanced safety, middle seats are being blocked for purchase through 6th January 2021 as per Alaska Airlines Middle Seat policy. Passengers who want to be seated together will have to make the request with Alaska Airlines reservations in advance or at the airport on the day of travel. The passengers who are not comfortable with the distance between self and others on the day of flight can also talk to Alaska Airlines customer service agent about the available options. In-flight service has also been reduced by the airline for limiting onboard interaction, and the customers are being encouraged for bringing their own food and drinks onboard the flight.

Southwest Airlines Middle Seat Policy

Southwest Airlines undertakes the cleaning of all its aircrafts overnight with the use of a disinfectant before every flight. The airline requires all its passengers and employees to wear face covering or masks during the course of the flights. The passengers are also offered sanitizing wipes and face masks upon request. As per Southwest Airlines Middle Seat policy, an open seating policy is being currently maintained by the airline, but the number of passengers is being restricted on each flight till November 30. The airline will however start selling flights to capacity effective from December 1. Southwest Airlines has also restricted boarding groups of 10 passengers at a time from the 30 passengers’ simultaneous boarding before COVID-19 pandemic. The customers are also asked by the gate agents to scan their own boarding passes to minimize interactions with the airline’s staff. For further safety, transparent plexiglass shields will also be installed by Southwest Airlines at all its gates and ticket counters.

Spirit Airlines Middle Seat Policy

Spirit Airlines has robust COVID-19 safety procedures in place. The airline has expanded its aircraft cleaning protocols through extra focus on high-frequency touchpoints such as armrests, tray tables, seat belt buckles, and handles. The wearing of face covering or masks is mandatory for all passengers and employees both at the airport and onboard Spirit Airlines flights. The airline prohibits the use of masks with exhaust valves. According to Spirit Airlines Middle Seat policy, the sale of seats on flights is in capacity. The advance seat selection of middle seats is blocked by the airline, but the gate agent may at his/her discretion assign middle seats to the passengers whenever necessary. To further minimize interaction with employees self bag-drop stations are being offered by Spirit Airlines at select airports.

Middle seat policies are being constantly evolved by various airlines. It is therefore strongly recommended that the customers should check for the latest requirements with their airline.

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