This is not a time for corporate-speak gibberish and hiding facts in the small print - the optics on this are terrible, and this is the second time. If Delta is saying they are blocking middle seats and actually doing so, while United is saying they are blocking seats and hiding the real policy in the small print or nuance of their announcement, and then filling downsized aircraft until capacity, not only does it show tremendous dishonesty, and creates a basis for a legal action that will further damage the company's image, but it creates a substitute narrative for the comparison that airlines never talk about - who is safer? In the past, that narrative was forbidden as in "we don't crash, but they do", but now that substitute narrative is "we help you stay safe, but they will make you sick" - and that is something that could easily get ingrained in how people compare their travel choices beyond price and schedule.

Obviously this "policy" and its nuance is further evidence of Kirby's complete lack of care or interest in customers - as long as those metrics are hit, who cares how many customers or employees are sick, injured or killed in the process?