Just how much have flights been impacted? In comparison from last year to this year, taking March 30th for example, this year an estimated 154,000 passengers flew vs. 2.36 million the year before, representing a 93% drop.
As the saying goes…when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In order to make it through this crisis, airlines not only need government assistance with loans, but they will need to be flexible and creative.
Safety Precautions:
Southwest has unveiled a series of safety measures from capping the number of passengers to around 79 passengers on its Boeing 737-700s and about 102 passengers on its 737-800s, no middle seats are being used, as well as new multiple layers of cleaning and disinfecting, along with requesting that all passengers wear face masks. American, Delta & JetBlue all announced similar measures. Each airline may have some different things in place, for example Delta is informing passengers that the masks should be worn at check-in counters, Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas and jet bridges. Make sure and check the most recent requirements before traveling.
Cargo:
With a majority of the world’s passenger flights grounded, airlines have started cargo-only operations to keep the global supply chains moving during the Covid-19 pandemic. Airlines all over the world are flying cargo flights using aircraft that would otherwise be idle. All three major global U.S. airlines have begun these operations. With the majority of their passenger flights limited to domestic service, they are flying the cargo charters on international routes.
Cut Backs:
JetBlue has reduced its service by 80%, while offering passengers flexible rebooking options or a refund or credit for future travel. JetBlue Airlines just announced it would be cutting service at five major U.S. cities between April 15 and June 10. In a similar move, United Airlines plans to cut flight through June approximately 90%.
Flexibility:
Southwest has always been known for its flexibility when wanting to change flights. United now extended its coronavirus travel waivers to cover flights through the end of 2020. This waiver applies to tickets purchased before March 3rd. Tickets purchased between March 3rd and April 30th already come with a fee-free change option into next year. Delta flyers now have the flexibility to change their flights for up to two years without paying a change fee. Tickets normally expire after one year, but the carrier announced it is extending its policy for travel through May 31, 2022. Travelers who bought tickets between March 1 and May 31 can still change their flight without incurring a change fee, but will only be eligible to do so for a year from their purchase date.
Updated Mileage Programs:
United Airlines announced changes to its Mileage Plus program. Members will have their current Mileage Plus Premier status extended through January of 2022. They are also increasing the maximum number of qualifying points United Explorer and United Club credit card holders can earn through card spending. Premium members will have their upgrade benefits increased, offering a six-month extension for all PlusPoints currency used for system wide upgrades that are set to expire on or before January 31, 2021. The Skip Waitlist upgrade option that allows Premier 1K members to confirm upgrades at time of booking is being expanded.
Alaska Air is helping its Mileage Plan members maintain their status by extending expiration through December 31, 2021. All miles earned through April of 2020 will be rolled over to 2021. The status will unlock more benefits as Alaska Air joins the Oneworld Alliance. They are also extending the expiration date of companion certificates set to expire this year to December 31, 2021. Members who enrolled in a status match challenge between December 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 to have their trial status extended through the end of 2021. Their website states all status benefits will apply, with the exception of the 50,000 bonus miles associated with earned 75k status.
Air Canada’s Altitude program is awarding elite qualifying miles in exchange for donations of the program’s Aeroplan points. For every 5 points an Altitude member donates to a charity fighting COVID-19, that member gets one elite qualifying mile. Air Canada elites who re-qualify for elite status can share their status with a friend or family member for free.
Southwest is also extending their elite status, but they also offered an exciting feature. You can convert travel funds into Rapid Reward points. Funds that are created between March 1st and September 7, 2020, will have an expiration date of September 7, 2022.
Give Back:
At a Cargo facility at George Bush Airport, United Airlines turned into a production line to create food boxes to help feed local families affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Executives, pilots, flight attendants and baggage handlers all with masks & gloves have been helping make a difference. United is among the airlines that have continued paying its employees even though there is little for them to do since they obtained federal assistance. Since April 8 they have boxed up nearly 160,000 pounds of food that was distributed to over 4,000 families.
Delta donated 200,000 pounds of foot to hospitals & community food banks. Donations went to organization such as Feeding America, Georgia Food & Resource Center & Carthage Crisis Center. The airline is also working with its food vendors to provide food from its Sky Club lounges to first responders and charities in hard-hit communities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York. Delta has also been flying medical volunteers to significantly impacted areas for free, as well as sending boxed meals to first responders at Emory University Hospital.
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The challenge for airlines will also be to boost consumer confidence by adopting measures recommended by the government and regulators including social distancing, cabin hygiene & passenger screening.
