ARE AIRLINES SPACING PASSENGERS?
Several carriers are blocking some middle seats.
Delta Air Lines said that through June 30, it will
also block some window and aisle seats, leaving
50% of first class and 60% of the main cabin
empty. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said his airline
will temporarily cap the number of seats it sells,
probably at 67% of capacity.
Frontier Airlines said that through Aug. 31 it will
guarantee passengers get an empty middle seat
next to them — if they pay an extra fee ranging
from $39 to $89.
“Sure, there are people saying, ‘You’re charging
for social distancing?’ No, no, no,” Frontier CEO
Barry Biffle told The Associated Press. “We are
offering the option, and it is guaranteed. We
don’t believe you need it -- if everybody is
wearing a facial covering – to be safe.”
Brett Snyder, who runs the Cranky Flier website
and a travel concierge business in California, said
it was a great product for Frontier to sell during
the downturn in travel.
“Why not make money on a seat that is going to
be empty anyway?” he said.
So far, other carriers haven’t copied Frontier.