The airline industry defended American Airlines on Tuesday over its new policy to fill the planes to capacity after criticism from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Redfield said there was “substantial disappointment with American Airlines” about the change in a Senate hearing on Tuesday after a question from the senator. Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders Political establishment takes a hit as supreme chaos reigns Twitch temporarily suspends Trump account for ‘hate behavior’ Juan Williams: time for Biden’s bravery MORE (I-Vt.) About politics.
Airlines for America (A4A), which represents and advocates for major American airlines, defended the decision to fill planes on the grounds that it is not possible to maintain social distancing on planes anyway. American Airlines is a member of A4A.
“You can’t social distance on an airplane. We believe that there are multiple level security measures in place that make flying safe, indeed safer than many other activities, “A4A CEO Nicholas E. Calio told reporters in a press call after the statement from Redfield.
Calio noted that you can’t distance yourself socially on a plane like in a grocery store.
“We don’t fly people if we feel it’s not safe to fly them,” Calio said. “We are taking extraordinary steps, working with public health officials and others to keep our passengers healthy.”
He also noted that American Airlines’ policy tells passengers if their flight is full and allows them to rebook.
The company announced on Friday that it will book flights at their capacity, effective July 1, following a similar United Airlines policy.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers and team members,” an American Airlines spokesperson told The Hill in a statement Tuesday. “We have multiple layers of protection for those flying with us, including required face covers, improved cleaning procedures, and a preflight COVID-19 symptom checklist, and we provide additional flexibility for clients to change their travel plans We know that our customers trust us to make every aspect of their trip safe, and we are committed to doing just that. “
American Airlines had previously blocked 50 percent of the intermediate seats in the main cabin and has been notifying customers if their flight is full when they check in. Other airlines have been blocking all intermediate seats, including Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest.
Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said in the press call that the agency implemented social distancing during checkpoints at airports and opened more security lanes to maintain it.
Pekoske also defended the federal government’s decision not to take passenger temperatures at checkpoints, which A4A requested, and not to require masks at airports, which the North American International Airports Council requested.
“Temperature controls are not a guarantee that passengers without an elevated temperature will not have COVID-19,” said Pekoske.
He added that no decision has been made on whether the government will carry out temperature controls, echoing previous agency statements.
Major US airlines announced earlier this month that masks are required on flights and customers who refuse to wear protective gear could be placed on a no-fly list. Masks are required within 20 of the 30 major central airports in the U.S., according to the American Association of Airport Executives.
TSA has relied on airports to make those policies.
“We encourage passengers to follow the CDC’s guidance, which recommends masks in public spaces,” said Pekoske.
.
