© 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners. Frontier is cleaning aircraft before every flight, focusing on passenger seating, cabin walls, overhead bins, galleys and lavatories. Delivered every Thursday. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some airlines blocked selling middle seats to allow passengers to social distance while flying. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. AA encourages customers to bring their own face coverings, though a limited supply of masks may be available at the gate. 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. Delta is boarding flights from the rear of the aircraft to the front, to minimize opportunities for customers to come into contact onboard. 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. They’re blocking middle seats on larger aircraft and certain aisle seats on smaller ones, at least through Sept. 8th. Sun Country is selling all flights to capacity. During boarding, the airline will provide passengers with health and safety kits, which include face masks, gloves and hand wipes. American Airlines is no longer blocking seats, and all aircraft may be sold to capacity. Additionally, testing and/or a 14-day quarantine may be required for all passengers traveling to Hawaii, as outlined in this detailed guide. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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. 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. Spirit is offering self bag-drop stations at select airports, minimizing interactions with employees. [What to know about getting tested for the coronavirus to travel]. 30, 2021. Ultimately, traveling right now does carry some risk, even though it may be impossible to quantify. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Southwest Airlines has updated its COVID-19 policy limiting sales to ensure the middle seat stays open through at least Sept. 30, 2020. 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. Hawaiian says it is thoroughly disinfecting all planes after each transpacific flight with hospital-grade disinfectants, focusing on common touch areas. Traditionally, fall is a good time to look for … 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. ), along with cockpits, galleys and other crew areas. 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. 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. 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. 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. Spirit is not currently limiting the sale of seats on flights. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. The following airlines are no longer blocking middle seats, but may alert travelers during check-in if their flight is near capacity or full: Allegiant, American, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country and United. PHOTO: United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner at LAX. 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. After a United Airlines spokesperson criticized the safety policy of blocking middle seats on flights, Delta reiterated its stance. Middle seats: United will not promise to keep middle seats empty. Additionally, testing and/or a 14-day quarantine may be required for all passengers traveling to Hawaii, as outlined in this detailed guide. (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. Sanitizing wipes are also available onboard. Southwest customers may still choose their own seats… United utilizes electrostatic spraying before most flights, in addition to regular preflight aircraft cleaning procedures. 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. Sun Country is not offering any service onboard, including complimentary beverages and buy-on-board products, to minimize interactions between passengers and crew. 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. And some airlines recently ended the practice. United is requiring that all employees and passengers cover their faces in the airport and while onboard an aircraft. 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. 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. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Travel tips you can trust. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays Yes, you can get a refund if you bought Southwest tickets before Oct. 23 for flights in December and beyond. Spirit passengers and customer-facing employees are required to wear masks or face coverings. 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. Aboard Amtrak’s Crescent, surprising comfort and welcome seclusion on a slow train to Mississippi, Paddling through a painterly landscape in New York’s Adirondack Park. Delta will continue to block all middle seats through at least Mar. [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. 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. “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. 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.”. The airline is conducting “deep cleans” of aircraft, including electrostatic spraying, overnight, and tray tables and lavatories are disinfected before every flight. United is selling flights to capacity. Customers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. While passengers may see almost entirely unreserved seat maps at booking — expecting to find those conditions onboard — airlines are canceling and consolidating flights. 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. The Points Guy will not sell your email. In addition to regular cleaning, Allegiant is applying an antimicrobial protectant that, according to the airline, “kills viruses, germs and bacteria on contact for 14 days.” Disinfectant wipes are available upon request on all aircraft. The airline is also applying an antimicrobial solution every seven days. 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. Hawaiian is blocking the sale of middle seats on certain aircraft through Dec. 15, 2020. 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. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 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. 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. View our latest valuations here. U.S. airlines have been continuously updating their social distancing policies and rolling out requirements aimed at avoiding the spread of germs in-flight. Frontier is boarding passengers boarding from the rear of the aircraft to the front, to avoid unnecessary contact. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. 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. Some airlines will not fill the middle seat during this pandemic, though others are now booking all seats. and applying a disinfectant fogging before every flight. Detours with locals.Travel tips you can trust. How do travel bubbles work? The airline is boarding economy passengers from back to front. Masks with exhaust valves are not allowed. As with many other carriers, vented masks are not permitted. The airline is also requiring customers to complete a health acknowledgement prior to boarding. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Through Jan. 6, 2021, Alaska is blocking middle seats. 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. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Middle seats American Airlines no longer blocks off the middle seat and allows planes to fly completely full. The airline has reduced inflight service to limit onboard interaction, so customers are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks onboard. In some cases, that results in an aircraft that is more full than expected, making social distancing difficult. Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline news! Other measures. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. JetBlue is not blocking middle seats, but is trying to give passengers some space. Detours with locals. 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. 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. … Instead, it will simply alert travelers if their upcoming flight is 70% full or more. Note that face masks that include an exhaust valve are not permitted. United Airlines. The airline is so far the only U.S. airline to commit to blocking middle seats through the first quarter of 2021. 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 … Southwest Airlines. Delta is thoroughly cleaning common touchpoints (armrests, seat belts, overhead controls, etc.) Spirit Airlines. Face masks and sanitizing wipes are available upon request. The company said it will limit capacity on flights, though. 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. The airline is so far the only U.S. airline to commit to blocking middle seats through the first quarter of 2021. Flights with rapid testing are being dubbed ‘covid-free.’ Here’s why that is a myth. However, without firm requirements from the federal government, policies differ significantly from one carrier to the next, creating a lot of confusion among travelers. The airline is boarding passengers from the rear of the aircraft to the front, to minimize interactions onboard. United will make masks available to passengers upon request. Alaska Airlines is cleaning common touchpoints (armrests, seat belts, overhead controls, etc.) using a high-grade EPA disinfectant before every flight. 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. With a flight attendant’s permission, passengers may move to avoid sitting near other travelers, if seats are available elsewhere on the aircraft. Service has been limited, but water and snacks may be served on flights over 250 miles. But United’s Earnest told CNN (via Inc.) that “keeping the seat next to you open is not going to make a material difference.” Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The airline said the practice “adds confidence and reassurance” for travel during the pandemic. The airline is boarding economy passengers from back to front. 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. When the pandemic came to the United States at the beginning of 2020, airlines … This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). United Airlines pledged to block the middle seat on flights through May 30. All seats are available to purchase on Allegiant flights. Sun Country has increased the frequency at which it cleans high-touch areas, including arm rests, tray tables and lavatories. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional information. A more thorough disinfectant cleaning will take place when time allows between flights. 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. Low fares may not be enough to lure many travelers. This equates to blocked middle seats, although they are maintaining their open seating policy. Alaska Airlines also intends to extend the seat block policy until after the Christmas period. -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. JetBlue You can still pick your seat and sit together, however. The airline was previously limiting flight capacity to 70 percent of normal levels “to provide additional space between individuals who are not traveling together.”. Will psychedelic mushroom vacations come to the U. S.? Many travelers, myself included, might start making booking decisions based on airline polices around seat restrictions and face masks for crew and passengers. Featured photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy. MileagePlus members. 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 … 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. Now, one of those airlines is rolling back the policy. 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. While a few airlines are still blocking seats from being booked to allow for extra space, they might not be doing so for long. If a passenger cannot accept the health acknowledgment, they’ll be issued a credit for a future Frontier flight. 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. 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.”. Customers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. More recently, however, many U.S. states have eased restrictions, and an increasing number of travelers are taking to the skies once again. 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. The airline is still leaving seats open as first-come, first-served based on boarding group. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may be banned from flying the airline. Alaska Airlines will have masks available for passengers who forget theirs at home. “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.”. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. The airline has also added a disinfectant, which is applied between day flights when an aircraft is on the ground for more than two hours, and during all overnight cleanings at the airline’s Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) hub. What to know about getting tested for the coronavirus to travel, New Zealand covid-19 flight outbreak linked to passenger who tested negative. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. All JetBlue crew members and passengers over the age of two are required to wear face coverings or masks. American has also increased the frequency of cleaning areas it controls throughout the airport, including ticket counters, team member rooms and gates. 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. United is selling all flights to capacity. 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. Masks are available upon request at ticket counters, gates and onboard flights. All inter-island aircraft are also cleaned after every flight into Honolulu (HNL) and are disinfected each night. Hawaiian is blocking the sale of middle seats on certain aircraft through Dec. 15, 2020. "For regularly scheduled flights that are expected to be fairly full, we’ll let you change your flight with no change fee or receive a travel credit for your trip. 4 questions, answered. For months, as most Americans limited trips outside their homes, airline passenger loads plummeted to levels most of us could have never imagined. 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. 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. 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. 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. Southwest is maintaining its open seating policy, but is not limiting the number of seats sold. United Airlines is joining the list of airlines introducing policies to encourage social distancing, including blocking seats. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. United was the first big U.S. carrier to give up on blocking middle seats. Starting Dec. 1, budget carrier Southwest will join competitors United and American Airlines in returning to filling flights as normal. 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. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Customers traveling together are welcome to sit together, including in … “As always, Southwest customers may choose their own seats,” Southwest says on its website about the boarding process. 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. 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. 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 … All Alaska employees are required to wear face masks, and all passengers two years and older are required to wear masks as well. Southwest began limiting the number of seats sold on its flights in May and continued the practice through the Thanksgiving travel rush. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. United Airlines is one airline company that plans to sell middle seats on its fight amid the coronavirus pandemic and calls for social distancing. In those cases, the airline will offer a free change to a flight with fewer seats occupied. “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. 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. Airlines and medical experts spar over whether or not the middle seat should be blocked. In cases where more than 70% of passengers have checked in, the airline will allow customers to move to another flight free of charge. The airline has also installed clear shields at counters, added “distance dots” to promote distancing and shifted to an “on-demand” snack service. 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