There’s a viral tweet that makes the rounds that it looked like AMC threw caution against the wind and did not provide social distance between assigned theater halls, as they plan to open this Thursday. According to AMC, however, this is not the case. According to the theater chain, Monday from the ticketing engine will automatically exclude one seat on opposite sides of the purchased seat, and the technology is simply not in place to represent this via current online seating options.
We reached out directly to AMC about this issue and were informed that there was a slight separation between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of AMC theater reopening. For example, here is the info for Phase 1:
Phase 1 (for all showtimes that went on sale last Thursday for this weekend)
Phase 1 begins on August 20, when AMC will provide a maximum of 30% of the seating capacity in each showtime, at all of its theaters nationwide.
In auditoria non-recliner, AMC will automatically exclude any other row of seats for each showtime.
Because a maximum of 30 percent of tickets are available for each show, there is room in auditoriums with reserved seats for guests to maintain good social distance in each auditorium. We recognize that this may mean that there are rare circumstances where guests do not end up in the seat they have selected, and we sincerely apologize for that inconvenience. Appropriate social distance will, however, be available and must take place at each showtime.
Phase 2 meanwhile starts today:
Phase 2 (exit to our first opening theaters starting TODAY)
AMC will move to Phase 2, when capacity constraints will increase to 40%, once we are able to implement automatic seat locking. As part of phase two:
At seat auditoriums, AMC’s ticket machine will automatically exclude one seat on opposite sides of each party.
For non-recliner, reserved seats, the AMC ticket engine will automatically exclude one seat on opposite sides of each party and party the seats in the rows in front of and behind each party, as well as the diagonal seats in front and behind each party.
In non-reserved rooms, AMC will exclude all other rows of seats for each showtime.
The reason that seats did not display oversized seats, according to AMC, was that the company “needed an environment for live ticket sales to test the technology.” The initial plan was for a trial period of two weeks, but after a successful launch, AMC decided “the results are satisfactory to roll out the technology to all theaters for reserved seats nationwide. As a result, the technology for blocking seats is being launched today for new showtimes at auditoriums with reserved seats. The startup to the first wave of theaters should be underway this week. “
AMC adds that “If tickets have already been sold to a show, that performance will remain at 30% of the total capacity, leaving ample room for guests to move a socially distant seat.” They also gave us an example of what a reserved seating, non-lounge auditorium looks like with automatic seat locking in place. Recliner auditoriums will automatically block one seat on opposite sides of a party.
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