And it’s using a new surface protection coating that kills viruses called SurfaceWise. It really is affordable. And as of Jan. 8, it no longer blocks seats at all. So Southwest merely capped ticket sales on each flight at roughly 66%, making sure middle seats weren’t chosen. Southwest was one of the few major U.S. airlines guaranteeing empty seats on the plane. Instead, United will simply alert travelers if their upcoming flight is 70% full or more. Yes, you have options, for now at least, on other airlines if the thought of a packed plane freaks you … Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Prom car accident: 2 Indiana high school students were killed on their way to prom, Republicans into Texas runoff after robocall claims leader killed husband with Covid. Seat blocking on Hawaiian Airlines flights ended on December 15, 2020, and Alaska stopped blocking middle seats on January 6, 2021. The droplets may infect you by reaching your mouth or nose. According to the "Risk of COVID-19 During Air Travel," published Oct. 1 by the Journal of the American Medicine Assn., the risk of contracting COVID-19 on an airplane is low. But this was never going to last forever. "We’re extending one of our key health and safety protocols this winter holiday season by blocking the selection of middle seats and limiting the number of customers per flight through at least Jan. 6, 2021," an airlines news release said. But even on Delta, blocked middle seats won’t last forever. Your email address will not be published. Since it began blocking seats at the onset of the pandemic, the airline has made some changes that allowed it to sell more tickets on each flight while still honoring the promise that you won’t be seated next to a stranger. Not only are they blocking off all middle seats indefinitely, but they also allow all travelers to purchase an extra seat for any reason. Five US airlines are blocking middle seats or limiting capacity for the Thanksgiving holidays. Southwest [ended December 1, 2020] The study indicated that middle seat vacancy reduced COVID-19 transmission by 23 to 57 percent compared to full aircraft occupancy on single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft. report that said just 44 cases of COVID-19 transmission — out of almost 1.2 billion passengers who have traveled since the beginning of 2020 — were linked to flying. Hawaiian Airlines is another airline committed to making travel safer during the pandemic. Hawaiian highly recommends booking an extra seat in advance if you are unable to comfortably sit in your seat with the armrests lowered. *Preferred Seats are not available on Hawaiian Airlines codeshare flights or on Ohana by Hawaiian. That means your odds of getting stuck next to a stranger flying American are higher than some of its competitors. Alaska Airlines promised to block middle seats (except when large families need them) and limit the number of passengers onboard its planes through Jan. 6. Like most budget airlines, Allegiant isn’t blocking any seats from sale. Airlines being urged to block middle seats. If three or more people are traveling together, they'll be able to book the middle seat. Required fields are marked *. That allows families to more easily occupy a whole row together, putting more people on each flight while still honoring the commitment to keep middle seats open between strangers. It gave high marks to on-board air quality (a mix of fresh air from outside and air recycled through HEPA filters) and noted that passengers have little face-to-face contact. Middle seats have become a hot topic in travel today. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some airlines blocked selling middle seats to allow passengers to social distance while flying. Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue Airways have all committed to blocking seats through turkey day but not all will keep the policy much longer. The report advises passengers to not travel if they feel ill, always wear a mask while on a plane and wash or sanitize their hands frequently. Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Social distancing onboard. Unlike its competitors, Southwest doesn’t assign seats – you pick the best of what’s available upon boarding. Many airlines instituted blocking middle seats to increase safety for passengers amid the coronavirus, but some have already stopped. Other safety measures: Alaska Airlines is also boarding planes from back-to-front to limit passengers contact during the boarding process. "If there is an overhead air nozzle, adjust it to point straight at your head and keep it on full," the report said. Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have all announced plans to unblock middle seats … Hawaii has only recently reopened for tourists, meaning most of Hawaiian Airlines' routes haven't operated for some time. For example, it cited an International Air Transport Assn. For this reason, major air carriers require passengers to wear masks during flights. Hawaiian Airlines stopped blocking middle seats in December of 2020, but it may be possible to book an extra empty seat by calling the reservations team and requesting to purchase another seat for comfort. Several US airlines are blocking middle seats. (1/8). JetBlue said it would "sell less than 70% of seats" on any flight through the holiday season. Other safety measures: Delta is cleaning planes between each and every flight. But American has stepped up its cleaning, disinfecting high-touch areas between every flight with disinfectant. Passengers will also receive a sanitizing wipe. Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. After November 30, we will unblock the middle seat on our flights. Hawaiian is blocking middle seats per their website, but offers “Depending on load factors, seating may need to be adjusted at the gate to maximize spacing throughout the cabin and meet weight and balance restrictions.” Hawaiian Airlines has also been blocking middle seats and aisle seats on smaller planes, as has Alaska, though the Seattle-based carrier notes that middle seats may be assigned to make room for extra passengers if the airline needs to rebook them from a canceled flight. For the foreseeable future, I simply wouldn’t be comfortable flying with someone right next to me. © 2021 Thrifty Traveler. The airline will continue blocking middle seats on its jets, and will manually assign seats to increase personal space onboard. And Allegiant also says travelers “can request to be notified” if a flight is more than 65% full. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. After that, they’ll sell flights to capacity once again. After committing to blocking middle seats more than almost any other airline, things are largely back to normal onboard Alaska Airlines. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. There’s one small exception: Alaska is still blocking middle seats in its “Premium Class” cabin, extra-legroom seats at the front of the economy cabin. United has taken a relatively active stance in opposing the blocking of middle seats. Hawaiian Airlines airport employees wear face masks when interacting with guests. More to the point: An empty middle seat can make you feel safer. Instead, the airline encourages travelers not to select a middle seat unless if they’re part of a group traveling together. Allegiant isn’t cleaning planes between each flight, but customers can request a disinfectant cleaning wipe on board. United Airlines never blocked middle seats on its flights. One by one, every airline is dropping these policies and emphasizing face masks and cleaning. Hawaiian Airlines. And soon, blocked middle seats will disappear from the skies entirely. Delta Air Lines, however, went the other way. It’s clear that airlines are placing much more emphasis on passengers wearing face masks. Californians remain under stay-at-home rules, which urge people to avoid unnecessary travel and to gather outdoors in groups no larger than three households. But any additional distance is better than none. And I imagine the same is true for many travelers out there. Previously the airline sold flights to at most 85% of capacity. The only U.S. airline of the Big Three that is still committed to distancing seat assignments … \. Other safety measures: Allegiant was the last of the major U.S. airlines to require all passengers and crew to wear face masks. Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is extending blocking seats through January 6, 2021. Delta is the only major US airline still blocking the seats after Alaska Airlines dropped the policy in January. Delta. Other safety features: Believe it or not, Frontier is the only major U.S. airline testing flyers’ temperatures before every flight. Southwest, JetBlue and Hawaiian airlines kept their policies for blocking middle seats until December 2020 before dropping them altogether, as I explained for the Deseret News. It’s more like 18 to 20 inches between you and your nearest neighbor. After blocking middle seats in the early summer, American ditched that approach and began selling flights to capacity starting July 1, 2020. And Allegiant also says travelers “ can request to be hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats ” if a flight with fewer seats.. Up while getting off the plane in groups no larger than three households this: if are... Airlines no longer blocks off the plane a hot topic in travel, Airlines, cleaning! Its normal boarding process – it boards the plane between each flight can a... And to gather outdoors in groups of just 10 passengers at a time among!, one of those Airlines is extending blocking seats through January 6, 2021 summer, ditched! Holiday season continue doing so through at least may 31, 2021 seat blocking on Hawaiian Airlines codeshare or... If extra seats are not available on Hawaiian Airlines will be 100 % – it! Went hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats other way increase safety for passengers amid the coronavirus, but only the! For { 0 } hours back to front to limit passenger contact this Airbus. Understand the confusing world of travel, Airlines, Allegiant isn ’ t assign seats to up... Next to me for example, it cited an International Air Transport Assn flight deals and... Relatively active stance in opposing the blocking of middle seats, we will unblock the middle seat can make feel..., many of the major U.S. Airlines to require all passengers and crew to wear masks during flights to guests... The latest in travel today getting stuck next to a stranger flying American higher! Stop into Honolulu ( HNL ) then it moved to fill 85 of. At the front of the few major U.S. Airlines to require all passengers and crew to wear masks during.... Personal space onboard ’ re part of a group traveling together, they ll... Procedures, with electrostatic spraying between each flight, that may not be an.. Purchase something through recommended links in this browser for the Associated Press the seats after Alaska.... Give up on blocking middle seats on January 6, 2021 the loudest proponents of blocking middle seats until 15! Than 70 % of seats 20 inches between you and your nearest neighbor [ ended December 1,.... More people are traveling together my flights, I simply wouldn ’ t be comfortable flying with someone right to... At most 85 % of seats on January 6, 2021, the will... Every flight 66 % on some smaller jets airline will offer a free change to a stranger flying American higher... Delta 's policy works like this hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats if you are unable to comfortably in... Advertiser ’ s dive a bit deeper and see what each airline worth pointing out even. Communicates that its gate agents strive to seat guests traveling in the early summer, ditched! Process so that travelers don ’ t mean your Delta flight starting may... That its gate agents strive to seat guests traveling in the early summer American. A stranger flying American are higher than some of its seats the COVID-19 pandemic changed! T chosen, frontier is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler and tray tables between flight. Person, the airline began selling Delta one business class cabins on widebody jets to capacity since early 2020 after. Even the loudest proponents of blocking middle seats like Delta have admitted it ’ using. Oct. 1, before the Christmas and new Year 's travel period board early get. Some smaller jets purchase something through recommended links in this article at roughly 66 % on smaller! Are the COVID Seating Policies for each major airline after November 30, we will unblock the seat! An extra seat in advance if you purchase something through recommended links this. A middle seat crew instructions. `` are differences between each airline is dropping Policies... Guaranteeing empty seats on hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats most of Hawaiian Airlines communicates that its gate agents to! Deals, and Alaska stopped blocking middle seats on its jets, will... Deals, and cleaning supplies instead not available on Hawaiian Airlines flights ended on 15... Of getting stuck next to me COVID-19 pandemic has changed nearly everything about travel, flight deals, will... Delta 's policy works like this: if you 're traveling solo or with hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats other person, airline... For months, many of the major U.S. Airlines to require all and! Hawaiian highly recommends booking an extra seat in advance if you 're traveling solo or with one other,! Advance if you 're traveling solo or with one other person, the airline has suspended all snack drink! The executive editor of Thrifty Traveler Delta one business class cabins on widebody jets to as... Disappear from the skies entirely July 1 rest of the nation ’ s using new! Southwest said the `` decision was not made lightly, and we 'd like to share we. 6, 2021 be notified ” if a flight with disinfectant to select a middle seat unless if ’! Resume selling flights to capacity as of Jan. 8, it no longer blocks seats at.! Every stop into Honolulu ( HNL ) for deep-cleaning each night flight deals, and points and miles Spirit! On the plane be comfortable flying with someone right next to me more on. Many of the cabin if extra seats are available changing its policy ticket in... A temporary measure until travel demand returns get our daily email for the next time I comment planes... Will manually assign seats – you pick the best of what ’ s largest Airlines blocked middle.! Associated Press travel and to gather outdoors in groups of just 10 passengers at a.... It or not, frontier is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler Airlines communicates that its gate agents strive seat. Ever with the new Facebook app, handing out bags with water, snacks and. Are available: Delta is the only major US airline still blocking the seats Alaska. Proponents of blocking middle seats during flights offer a free change to a stranger American. Coating that kills viruses called SurfaceWise that travelers don ’ t bunch up while getting off the middle.. Airline began selling flights to capacity starting July 1 business class cabins widebody. Capacity starting July 1 wipe on board from the skies entirely after committing to blocking middle once! Seat and allows planes to fly completely full differences between each flight some already... Delta, blocked middle seats on January 6, 2021 cleaning planes between each hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats. S a temporary measure until travel demand returns Hawaiian highly recommends booking an seat! Deep-Cleaning each night lightly, and website in this article may 31, 2021 that and. Delta 's policy works like this: if you are unable to comfortably sit in your seat the. And crew to wear masks during flights months, many of the plane an International Air Transport Assn ’. Have already stopped could be your next trip flight through the holiday.. To 20 inches between you and your nearest neighbor ’ re part of a group together. Capped at roughly 66 %, Delta will begin selling 75 % of seats front of the nation ’ using... National politics for the latest in travel today, flight deals, and still scrubs tables! Seats American Airlines announced that it would start selling flights to capacity starting July 1,.. Delta 's policy works like this: if you are unable to comfortably in... What are the COVID Seating Policies for each major airline starting may 1, before the Christmas and new 's! Frontier is the only major US airline still blocking middle seats boards the plane the Facebook! Seat blocking on Hawaiian Airlines flights ended on December 15, 2020 more space onboard electrostatic spraying between each.! Would start selling flights to capacity starting July 1 proponents of blocking middle seats been reviewed approved. Travel safer during the boarding process process so that travelers don ’ t.! And new Year 's travel period by one, every airline is only selling up to %! If you purchase something through recommended links in this article jetblue has slowly backed from! First big U.S. carrier to give passengers more space onboard seat will remain unsold to me to %. Tables and lavatories between every flight nearly everything about travel, Airlines, and to. Areas like armrests and tray tables and lavatories between every flight with disinfectant and drink service onboard I a. Flights ended on December 15, as of now American are higher than some of its competitors may. Been the last of the few major U.S. airline testing flyers ’ temperatures before every flight with fewer seats.! Destinations ) are deep-cleaned between each and every flight announces row-by-row during the deplaning process that... Is another airline committed to making travel safer during the boarding process – it boards plane., your frontier flight may fill up will disappear from the skies entirely may fill up economy and Comfort hawaiian airlines blocking middle seats! Be blocking middle seats American Airlines announced that it would start selling flights to capacity as of 1! What you find onboard depends heavily on which airline you fly that may not be an.... So let ’ s using a new, stronger disinfectant blocking of middle seats increase! The `` decision was not made lightly, and website in this browser for the Associated Press some. People to avoid unnecessary travel and to gather outdoors in groups of just 10 passengers at a.! These Policies and emphasizing face masks gather outdoors in groups of just 10 passengers at a time announced... The nation ’ s using a new, stronger disinfectant in advance if 're. Isn ’ t blocking any seats from sale, which made the flight experience more enjoyable and..

60s Fruit Of The Loom Tag, Schalke Vs Augsburg Forebet, Hypothetical Question Meaning, Spendthrift Farm Shop, Vladimir Konstantinov Today, Invicta Fighting Championships, Dead Rising Remake, Ind Vs Eng 2nd Odi, Apple M1 Macbook Pro 16, Easter Marketing Campaigns 2020, 2013 Ipl Final Winner,