Southwest Airlines will continue blocking middle seats through at least Nov. 30, the carrier said.
The move mirrors those by other carriers like Delta in what the company said was to support “the well-being and comfort of its customers and employees” amid the ongoing pandemic.
“As we transition into autumn and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday season, we want Southwest Customers to have the confidence of knowing that middle seats will remain open through Nov. 30 to accommodate their fall travel plans,” said Ryan Green, Southwest’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Southwest has been operating flights with middle seats open throughout the summer and has added thousands of flights to in-demand destinations to provide extra seats for on-board physical distancing and added comfort.”
The middle seat blocking does not apply to families or those traveling together, who can purchase middle seats as part of a multi-person reservation.
Southwest is also continuing to require face masks to be worn at all times, along with other health and safety measures like physical distancing in the airport and “stringent” cleaning schedules.
— CJ