Delta to Continue to Block Middle Seats, But Will Sell All Seats in Delta One Business Class

Delta aircraft at JFK

Delta announced plans to continue blocking middle seats in coach on its mainline aircraft through January 6, 2021.

The Atlanta-based carrier first introduced social distance-friendly seating in April as the coronavirus began to cripple the travel industry.

“Data and science drive this approach to your care and protection,” the airline said in a letter to its customers from Carlos del Rio, Delta’s infectious disease special advisor, and Ed Bastian, the company’s CEO.

Dr. Rio is also a professor at the Emory School of Medicine.

“Reducing the overall number of customers on every aircraft across the fleet is one of the most important steps we can take to ensure a safe experience for our customers and people,” said the airline’s chief customer experience officer, Bill Lentsch, in May.

Delta also said it would begin to sell additional seats in its Delta One business-class cabins and domestic first-class cabins.  The move will mean that, by November, these premium cabins could be completely full while coach remains no more than 75% full.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)