As holiday travel picks up, many people are wondering if they can still travel on any flights that have the middle seats blocked. There are a few airlines like Delta still blocking seats, but keep in mind you can also consider buying a second airline seat as well. For now, here is a recap of the latest announcements from the major airlines regarding middle seats & their boarding process.
- Alaska Airlines will be blocking middle seats through January 6, 2021
- American Airlines is allowing passengers to move to another flight if the aircraft is 70% full (but they are using middle seats)
- Delta Airlines is the only U.S. airline to block middle seats and limit onboard capacity through March 30, 2021. Delta is limiting the number of passengers allowed in economy cabins to no more than 70% capacity. The airline is booking Delta One business-class cabins to full capacity. They are also boarding from the back of the aircraft to minimize passengers coming into contact onboard.
- Frontier Airlines is using middle seats. They are boarding passengers from the rear to avoid unnecessary contact and passengers must complete a health form at check-in with a temperature check at boarding.
- Hawaiian Airlines is blocking the sale of middle seats on certain (but not all,) aircraft through December 15, 2020. They are also boarding from the back of the plane.
- Jet Blue is capping seat sales at 70% through December 1, 2020. Onboard capacity will be limited to 85% from December 2 through January 7, 2021. In Mint cabins, all seats are available for selection with the exception of the 2 aisle seats in Row 1.
- Southwest Airlines is maintaining its open seat policy, limiting the number of passengers on each flight will end December 1, 2020. They are boarding groups of 10 at a time, and passengers are scanning their own boarding passes. In-flight beverage and snack service has been discontinued.
- Spirit Airlines is not limiting the sale of seats on any flight, but they are blocking the advance selection of middle seats. It is possible for a gate agent to assign the middle seat when necessary.
- Sun Country is selling all flights to capacity. They are not offering onboard service.
- United Airlines is selling all flights to capacity. When more than 70% of passengers have checked in, the airline will allow customers to move to another flight. Boarding is from the rear of the aircraft and passengers will be boarded fewer at a time. Passengers will scan their own boarding passes.
Please keep in mind that policies are changing constantly. As demand begins to pick up, carriers may feel financial pressure to adjust seat-blocking policies.
