Update 4/2/21: Delta has announced that it will stop blocking middle seats starting May 1, 2021.
Update 2/8/21: Delta will continue to block middle seats through April 30, 2021.
Update 11/18/20: Delta has announced it will continue blocking middle seats until March 31, 2021.
Update 11/6/20: Due to the JetBlue policy change you can now request a full refund by using this form. Flights must have been booked by 11/13/20. Hat tip to Dans Deals
Update 11/12/20: JetBlue has announced
- Through December 1, 2020. Onboard capacity is capped at 70%
- December 2 – January 7: Onboard capacity is capped at 85%
- January 8, 2021: No capacity caps
Update 10/22/20: Southwest will stop blocking middle seats starting on December 1, 2020. Southwest says this decision was made due to scientific findings that state seat blocking is not necessary.
Update 9/16/20: Southwest will continue to block middle seats through at least November 30, 2020.
Update 8/20/20: Delta will continue to block middle seats through at least January 6, 2021.
Update 7/27/20: Southwest will continue to block middle seats through at least October 31st, 2020.
Update 6/14/20: Southwest will also continue to block middle seats through at least September 30th, 2020.
Original post (6/4/20): Delta has announced that it will continue to block middle seats through September 30th, 2020 due to COVID-19. For planes in a 2×2 configuration some aisle seats will be blocked. In addition seating caps will be as follows: 50% in First Class; 60% in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, and Delta Premium Select; and 75% in Delta One. I’m surprised more airlines aren’t doing the same, this surely helps with consumer confidence when flying and most plane loads have been low enough that this doesn’t make a real difference in terms of revenue.
Already started doing this out of SLC today. They’ll reebok you if you want
I came for comments that have nothing to do with travel, I was not disappointed.
Farewell middle seat blocking, you magnificent bastard.
Thanks DoC and Thanks Delta for the premo basic economy experience that I used on about 8 RTs
It was a good run! Looks like I have one more guaranteed “whole side of my First Class row” trip left. On the bright side, it does mean more upgrade availability – I flew a couple of segments last year where I was the next one on the upgrade list but didn’t get it because the F cabin was already 50% full.
All my recent Southwest flights were full so it had middle seats taken (I was in window)
My #1 concern was fat spilling over and/or getting elbowed by the middle seatmate.
How did up to 300 million pigs die in China from Swine Fever / Flu in just one year – 2019. It appeared shortly before C19 was in the news. You’re telling me 300 million pigs all “spread it” to each other within 1 year?
And an octopus has 3 hearts & blue blood. Of course this has nothing to do with Delta or middle seats, just like your ‘comment’.
DoC has really started attracting some nutjobs
I’m so outraged that I will change my behaviour from not flying Delta to still not flying Delta.
Unless you’re traveling in a group, in which case they’ll move you together and cram you in like sardines and charge you the same price as the people that get an empty seat next to them…
Great! That is why I am paying $50 extra x 9 people on the next trips to PR.
Remember to get negative covid tests or you will be required to quarantine
It actually makes paying for BE worth it if you aren’t checking a bag or have a Delta card and need to check a bag.
Good on Delta. Blocking middle seats will make me more likely to choose an airline over others.
I hope they never open the middle seat back up. I didn’t know those cabins could feel so spacious.
Imagine if 60% stop drinking soda and eating junk all day
The good life is over May 1st. 😢