Delta Airlines Middle Seat Policy Extended till April 2021

Delta Airlines is now the only U.S. airline which continues to take care of its passengers’ health and well-being by adhering to COVID-19 safeguard protocols. The airline has announced it will continue to block middle seats and limit capacity on all its flights departing through 30th April 2021.

The coronavirus pandemic had earlier forced all the U.S. airlines, including Delta Airlines flights, to implement COVID-19 protections, including filtered air and mandatory mask requirements for passengers. Delta Airlines started implanting COVID-19 protocol in August 2020, and remains the only airline in the United States to continue with the safety norms.

Delta Airlines in a statement said that it will continue with its policy of creating space between passengers while simultaneously limiting overall capacity on all its flights. The airline said that its policy of blocking middle seats on its flights till April end this year will make the customers to confidently plan and book their spring travel.

According to Delta Airlines, all the middle seats on Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select will continue to be blocked for parties of one to two people. However, those traveling in a group of three or more will be allowed to select their seats together. Also, if there isn’t any middle seat in an aisle then it will be completely blocked off.

Bill Lentsch, Delta's chief customer experience officer, said, “We want that the customers flying with Delta should have complete confidence. Our customers keep on telling us that in these times of COVID-19 more space is best as it provides them more peace of mind.”

He also assured that if Delta has a higher demand for certain flights then necessary steps will be taken to upgrade to larger aircraft whenever required or more flights will be added for promoting space on board.

Bill further said that Delta Airlines will keep on reassessing middle seat blocking keeping in view case transmission and vaccination rates, while it makes efforts to bring other products and services that are going to instill even more trust in the health and safety of everyone on board its flights.

At-home COVID-19 Tests to Passengers Offered

Meanwhile, in COVID-19 related development Delta Airlines has decided to offer at-home COVID-19 tests to its travelers so that they stay safe and healthy.

Atlanta-based Delta Airlines in a statement said that it is planning to offer COVID-19 tests to its customers in USA, prior to their departure as well as before their return trip. The airline is also providing links to local testing sites for customers who want to get tested before traveling. By offering the additional features Delta Airlines want to enhance the existing experience of its customers and also to strengthen its position as a leader in charting the global recovery.

It may be noted that most U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines had earlier taken the step of blocking middle seats and creating more distance between passengers, but just after months lifted the restriction by the holiday season.

Delta Airlines Additional Steps to Reduce Capacity on Board Flights

Delta Airlines has also taken several steps in addition to extending middle seat blocking for reducing the overall number of people on board flights. These are the following:

• Creating an interactive travel map for helping customers to understand the locations being flown by Delta and the restrictions or latest travel requirements at their destination
• Building a digital concierge for managing booking, test scheduling, and automatic document verification all in one place on Delta website and app to streamline trave
• Deploying a dedicated team of clean ambassadors at more than 55 airports for ensuring a consistently safe and sanitized experience
• Expanding rapid testing centers at Delta hub airports in Detroit and Minneapolis, which follow other testing facilities at Seattle, Atlanta, New York JFK and Boston

Also, read our blog Delta Airlines ending middle seat policy from May.