In the case of families traveling together, middle seats can be used. Flying on a JetBlue Airways Airbus A320 with a new interior. Southwest Airlines – While Southwest has blocked middle seats on its flights since early in the pandemic, the airline stops this practice after November 30, 2020, In Southwest’s October 22 earnings report, the airline announced it will change its seat blocking policy and begin selling full flights for travel beginning December 1, 2020. Blocked Seats: JetBlue is blocking all middle seats on larger aircraft and most aisle seats on smaller aircraft in order to allow social distancing onboard. Five US airlines are blocking middle seats or limiting capacity for the Thanksgiving holidays. Middle seats American Airlines no longer blocks off the middle seat and allows planes to fly completely full. Delta Air Lines. American Airlines no longer blocks off the middle seat and allows planes to fly completely full. Now, one of those airlines is rolling back the policy. 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. Which Airlines Are Blocking Middle Seats? These are the latest middle seat policies from the big U.S. airlines. Alaska Airlines also intends to extend the seat block policy until after the Christmas period. Unfortunately, most of these airlines plan to roll back these policies over the next couple of months. Now, one of those airlines is rolling back the policy. … | Weekly Travel Update Middle seats. Southwest Airlines: Middle Seats Blocked Until Dec. 1. Southwest Airlines will drop its policy of blocking middle seats on Dec. 1. Airlines are expected to lose $113 billion during coronavirus pandemic, and to make up for loss, they are doing everything they can to reaffirm passenger safety.While many airlines suggest the use of face masks, and tout clean planes, only three U.S. airlines are blocking middle seats to … Southwest will stop blocking middle seats after Dec. 1, the airline’s CEO announced. Thomas Pallini/Business Insider Five US airlines are blocking middle seats or limiting capacity for the Thanksgiving holidays. “Extending blocking of middle seats on mainline aircraft through Jan. 6th, 2021,” the carrier said in a statement on their website. 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. Experts recommend about six feet (or around 1.8 meters) of distance between people to reduce the opportunity of viral spread. As travelers begin to consider flying again, airlines are eager to offer reassurance. It’s not the case that their business is fine, while those airlines filling middle seas are hurting, but it’s doesn’t seem to be the case that Southwest and Delta are doing obviously worse than American and United. Middle seats American Airlines no longer blocks off the middle seat and allows planes to fly completely full. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional information. Since the start of the pandemic, some airlines adopted policies limiting the number of passengers allowed onboard—including blocking middle seats. The airline may sell additional seats on flights where passengers are seated next to an attendant, which in turn frees up an additional seat for sale. Southwest is capping flights at 65% of capacity for the purpose of blocking off middle seats, and adding more flights, rather than selling more seats when flights hit 65%. American Airlines: Not Blocking Middle Seats. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some airlines blocked selling middle seats to allow passengers to social distance while flying. Five US airlines are blocking middle seats or limiting capacity for the Thanksgiving holidays. Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and … Delta was the first airline to announce it would be blocking middle seats – and some aisle seats on planes without middle seats – into 2021 with the current policy extended until January 6, 2021. New rese… Even though the airline is burning through four million a day – it could really use the revenue a middle seat would provide. 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 American Airlines is blocking off 50 percent of the main cabin middle seats on its aircraft, as well as any seats situated near the flight attendants’ jump seats. More recently, however, many U.S. states have eased restrictions, and an increasing number of travelers are taking to the skies once again. “Extending blocking of middle seats on mainline aircraft through Jan. 6th, 2021,” the carrier said in a statement on their website. Until October 15, the airline is capping the number of seats it sells on flights and blocking the center seats on its A320 and A321s, as well as all aisle seats on its Embraer E-190. Even though the airline is burning through four million a day – it could really use the revenue a middle seat would provide. Southwest Airlines will no longer limit the number of seats for sale on each flight, joining rivals American and United. JetBlue is among the airlines that will continue blocking middle seats. Alaska Airlines: Alaska is blocking middle seats and limiting the number of passengers on flights through January 6, 2021. (David Paul Morris / Bloomberg) When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some airlines blocked selling middle seats to allow passengers to social distance while flying. Southwest announced they will stop blocking middle seats after December 1st. Airlines that are blocking middle seats don’t seem to be having greater revenue problems than those that aren’t. Why airlines are blocking middle seats. — JetBlue is going to keep middle seats open for a while longer. Hawaiian Airlines – makes an effort to block seats, but does not guarantee it JetBlue – middle seats blocked through October 15, 2020 Southwest Airlines – open seating, but flights only booked to 2/3 capacity, so no change to sit next to a stranger through October 31, 2020 The airline is boarding 10 passengers at a time, rather than the previous 30. On an airline, that would mean seating only about two people per row, which would reduce capacity by a whopping 67% on Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. 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