Delta will block seats into January as it tries to boost traveler confidence
Delta Air Lines will block seats on its planes at least through early January, addressing what it sees as a need to regain traveler confidence in flying amid an uncertain outlook for the fall.
The Atlanta-based carrier is extending its program blocking middle seats through Jan. 6 and "maybe beyond," Delta CEO Ed Bastian told staff during a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday (Aug. 19) viewed by TPG and confirmed by the airline. The move extends the artificial cap by three months from Sept. 30.
Delta is one of just four U.S. carriers, including Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, capping the number of flyers onboard their planes during the coronavirus pandemic. Alaska is blocking seats through Oct. 31, JetBlue through Oct. 15 and Southwest through October.
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Delta is making some changes to its caps. While middle seats will remain blocked in general, the number of passengers allowed in economy cabins on its flights will rise to 75% of capacity from 60% on Oct. 1. The change will allow groups of three travelers or more to reserve seats together, even if it includes the middle seat.
In addition, the airline will begin booking all Delta One business-class cabins on its wide-body jets to full capacity starting Oct. 1. Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant said this is because the cabins are "designed with more space and privacy built in."
Delta had capped Delta One cabins at 75% of capacity on all flights except those to China.
Related: Which US airlines are blocking middle seats and requiring masks?
Airlines initially rolled out passenger caps and blocked middle seats under the auspices of social distancing onboard flights. They are part of a broader ramp-up against transmission of the virus on their planes, with other pieces including mandating masks and enhanced cleaning procedures.
However, with more known about the virus, the thinking on social distancing on aircraft has evolved. Airlines acknowledge that the seating caps are more of a measure to boost flyer confidence during a period of extremely low travel demand than a fail-safe measure against the virus.
For Delta, the carrier believes it's an important effort to make travelers comfortable.
“Medical experts, including our own partners at Emory Healthcare, agree — more distance on board makes a difference,” Bill Lentsch, chief customer experience officer at Delta, said in a statement. “We believe that taking care of our customers and employees and restoring confidence in the safety of air travel is more important right now than filling up every seat on a plane."
Related: Delta says air travel recovery has stalled, hopes more flyers return by end of summer
It is relatively easy for airlines to cap bookings today. Flights in the U.S. carried on average just 58 passengers during the week ending Aug. 16, according to data from trade group Airlines for America (A4A). This is down 41% compared to the same week in 2019.
In July, JetBlue president Joanna Geraghty said only about 10% of the airline's flights were booked to its cap.
Delta's extended seat-blocking comes as it prepares for a tough autumn. Bookings are no longer climbing steadily as they were in May and June, but rather "inching up," said Bastian.
"We’re now at a point where we’re probably going to pause any additional add-backs until we see demand take a step forward," he said, but added that Delta does not plan to pull back any flights either.
Delta will operate an average of 2,815 flights a day in August, according to Cirium schedules.
Related: Global air travel unlikely to recover until 2024 as COVID remains ‘issue’ in US, elsewhere
Other airlines are also rolling back plans for the fall. Southwest Airlines to fly a smaller percentage of its 2019 schedule in September and October than it will in August, and American Airlines will suspend service to 15 U.S. cities in October before reassessing its schedule in November.
The schedule cuts come as a new coronavirus stimulus bill is stalled in Congress. Airlines and their labor unions are pushing for an extension to employment protections under the payroll support program in the bill, something that would likely include renewed air service requirements.
“I’m not certain it’s going to happen," said Bastian about the new stimulus bill, though hae added he "hopes" that it does. He estimates that additional payroll support could net Delta as much as $5 billion with around a third of it in the form of loans.
Delta has warned more than 2,500 pilots of possible furloughs come Oct. 1. Protections under the federal coronavirus aid package, or CARES Act, expire the day before.
Related: Should Congress dole out more money for airline employees?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.