Travel and lifestyle journalist Francesca Page on how air standards will shift due to coronavirus.
Delta Air Lines will continue to block the reservation of middle seats through “at least” Jan. 6. 2021, again an extension of a policy announced earlier this year amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
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In a news release issued Thursday, the airline announced the extension of its policy on middle seats, as well as the extension of its exemptions for reimbursement compensation, with supporters worrying about passengers considering holiday travel.
Delta Airlines Airbus A319 (registration N354NB) in flight shortly before landing at Los Angeles World Airport (LAX).
“Medical experts, including our own partners at Emory Healthcare, agree – more distance on board makes a difference,” said Bill Lentsch, Delta’s chief executive officer, in the announcement. ‘We believe that taking care of our customers and employees and trusting in the safety of air travel is currently more important than filling all the seats in an aircraft.
“We will continue with a thoughtful, layered approach to ensure that customers know the highest standard of care they expect as they prepare for their holiday trips.”
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Delta’s mid-seat policy first came into effect in April, in an effort to help social distance within its aircraft. Other major and regional carriers adopted similar protocols around the same time.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 27.31 | -0.31 | -1.10% |
Under most current policies, customers in parties of one or two people will not be able to reserve middle seats in the main cabin, Delta Comfort + and Delta Premium Select sections of all Delta flights. Those in parties of three (or more) will still be able to book middle seats, to stay with their group. Capacity in the first class will meanwhile be limited by half.
Delta is also limiting the number of passengers on board all of its aircraft. On aircraft that do not have center seats (i.e., rows of two seats) Delta will block one aisle.
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In addition to expanding its middle-seat policy, Delta announced Thursday the extension of its change compensation exemptions, allowing customers who flew through Sept. 30 to do so. Can change their travel dates or itinerary without incurring a fee, as long as the new flights are booked within one year of the purchase date. Dangerous differences will apply in some cases.
