Many Americans are planning to travel for the first time this upcoming holiday season but still have concerns about safety during a pandemic. Here’s a look at the cleaning and social distancing policies of each major airline, including which ones offer blocked middle seats on flights.
Common air travel requirements
Without federally mandated guidelines on social distancing, airlines have been on their own when it comes to COVID protocols, but they’re all quite similar across the airlines. These include:
A requirement that all passengers wear a mask (except children under the age of two), which can only be removed briefly when you eat or drink on the plane. Expect to wear masks in the gate prior boarding, during the entire flight, and during deplaning. Your mask should cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly under the chin.
Six-feet markers on the ground at our gates, as well as ticket counters and baggage claim areas.
Signing a health agreement as part of the flight check-in process confirming that you have not COVID-19 symptoms in the past 72 hours.
People like empty middle seats in the best of times, but only four airlines currently offer flights without occupied middle seats. Struggling airlines have been rolling back empty middle seat flights, however, so don’t expect them to last.
Also, expect more pre-flight COVID testing. American Airlines, United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue Airways are rolling out pre-flight testing services which allow travelers to avoid the two-week isolation period required at some destinations. Here’s what each airline is doing to make to make it safer and easier to fly.
Before making international travel plans, make sure you know whether your destination requires a 14-day quarantine or additional COVID testing.