Several initiatives were announced earlier today from Delta Air Lines in terms of extending its commitment to give each passenger more space aboard airplanes for safer travel through the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic by continuing to block the selection of middle seats and limiting the number of seats to be available in every cabin class through Wednesday, September 30, 2020 — and passengers who have earned Medallion elite level status in the SkyMiles membership program will enjoy automatic upgrades in advance when available.
Blocking Middle Seats Extended; Automatic Upgrades to Restart With Delta Air Lines
According to this article written by Elizabeth Wolf for Delta News Hub, Delta Air Lines will:
- Extend Seat Limits: Through Wednesday, September 30, 2020, more space for passengers will be ensured on all aircraft by limiting available seating to reduce the total number of passengers aboard airplanes to a maximum capacity of:
- 50 percent in First Class
- 60 percent in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, and Delta Premium Select
- 75 percent in Delta One
- Continue to Block Middle Seats: All middle seats will continue to be shown as unavailable or not assignable when selecting seats through Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Some aisle seats in aircraft with 2×2 seating configurations will also continue to be blocked.
- Restart Automatic Medallion Complimentary Upgrades: Automatic advance Medallion Complimentary Upgrades to Delta One within the domestic United States, First Class, and Delta Comfort+ — which were previously being managed at the gate — will resume effective as of Wednesday, June 10, 2020; and they will be subject to availability and awarded as permitted by the aforementioned maximum seating limits.
- Add Capacity For Routes With Increased Demand: Opportunities to upsize to a larger aircraft type or add more flying will be sought on flight routes with which increasing customer demand is driving flight loads closer to the aforementioned maximum seating limits.
Summary
Delta Air Lines assures its customers that its practices to ensure that the airline is meeting the needs of its customers will continue to be evaluated.
Blocking middle seats permanently and long after the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic would be ideal on all airplanes on all flights operated by all airlines around the world, but that is only wishful thinking, as any empty seats represents a loss of revenue for the airline and would likely lead to more expensive ticket prices if it were implemented.
All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
