Middle seat blocking extended through 11/30/2020 [was: 10/31/2020]
Sep 16, 2020, 8:59 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
CNBC:
KEY POINTS
KEY POINTS
- Southwest said its October capacity will likely fall 40 to 45% in October and 35% to 40% in November.
- The low-cost carrier will keep middle seats open until the end of November for travelers not flying together.
- The Dallas-based airline trimmed its cash-burn estimate for the third quarter to $17 million a day from an earlier estimate of $20 million.
Sep 16, 2020, 9:21 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 179
This is good news, thank you. I was going to make sure I flew back home before October 30 because I don't want to sit next to anyone, but this gives me more flexibility to book on a later date. Having just flown on Southwest, I can say that no middle seat isn't even that large of a buffer to begin with and everyone is still rather close to one another, so the thought of having middle seats filled is a definite "no" from me.
Sep 16, 2020, 9:32 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: BWI
Programs: Marriott LTT, WN A, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
Will they let us bring the car-seat for our under-2 lap-child and buckle it into the middle seat? Pre-Covid it was allowed "as long as the flight isn't sold out and there are ample available seats."
Sep 16, 2020, 10:42 am
#34
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,748
Good news! Have a family Hawaii trip booked on points over Thanksgiving week and was concerned about a 6 hour flight on a fully loaded aircraft. But, I doubt Hawaii will be open to mainlanders in November without a 2 week quarantine.
With the US passport rendered all but worthless now, Hawaii is about as exotic a destination as we can access.
With the US passport rendered all but worthless now, Hawaii is about as exotic a destination as we can access.
Sep 16, 2020, 11:45 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,721
Glad for the extension. I flew yesterday on a packed flight - wasn't excited about that but happy to have middle seat blocked.
I would not count on Hawaii being open to visitors from the mainland sans quarantine. If you want the almost "sure thing" I would go with Mexico.
Good news! Have a family Hawaii trip booked on points over Thanksgiving week and was concerned about a 6 hour flight on a fully loaded aircraft. But, I doubt Hawaii will be open to mainlanders in November without a 2 week quarantine.
With the US passport rendered all but worthless now, Hawaii is about as exotic a destination as we can access.
With the US passport rendered all but worthless now, Hawaii is about as exotic a destination as we can access.
Sep 16, 2020, 4:46 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,748
Glad for the extension. I flew yesterday on a packed flight - wasn't excited about that but happy to have middle seat blocked.
I would not count on Hawaii being open to visitors from the mainland sans quarantine. If you want the almost "sure thing" I would go with Mexico.
I would not count on Hawaii being open to visitors from the mainland sans quarantine. If you want the almost "sure thing" I would go with Mexico.
Sep 16, 2020, 6:32 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
For all those folks that somehow KNEW that Oct 31 was a firm date.... well.... lesson learned.
Never assume anything.
Never assume anything.
Sep 17, 2020, 12:21 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
The extension to November 30 was likely due to pushback from customers to their "quietly stated" October 31 deadline.
Folks looking to book holiday travel for Thanksgiving were seeing Southwest's policy and asking questions.. learning the planes would be packed full in November and opted to go with Delta who was still advertising middle seats being kept open.
Expect additional extensions... as long as Delta keeps it up. I'm surprised Southwest didn't just push the extension out to December 31 at this point.
Last edited by storewanderer; Sep 17, 2020 at 12:31 am
Sep 17, 2020, 8:12 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: BWI
Programs: Marriott LTT, WN A, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
Sep 17, 2020, 11:45 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 74
I'm sticking with no flying for the foreseeable future, but there's something I've been curious about in theory - does the middle seat blocking rule allow pairs who are flying together to take the middle and window seats and leave the aisle open for more distance from the people on the other side of the aisle? Curious as it's still using only two out of three seats in the name of increasing social distance.
My first thought when initially hearing about middle seat blocking was that in a hypothetical wherein I'd be willing to fly, I'd prefer a situation where my companion and I took a middle and window with an empty aisle seat, ideally across from another pair who did the same (if there were at least two people in each row). I don't know if it would be allowed, but I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen anyone discuss the concept. Of course I may have missed it.
My first thought when initially hearing about middle seat blocking was that in a hypothetical wherein I'd be willing to fly, I'd prefer a situation where my companion and I took a middle and window with an empty aisle seat, ideally across from another pair who did the same (if there were at least two people in each row). I don't know if it would be allowed, but I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen anyone discuss the concept. Of course I may have missed it.
Sep 18, 2020, 1:30 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,513
I'm sticking with no flying for the foreseeable future, but there's something I've been curious about in theory - does the middle seat blocking rule allow pairs who are flying together to take the middle and window seats and leave the aisle open for more distance from the people on the other side of the aisle? Curious as it's still using only two out of three seats in the name of increasing social distance.
My first thought when initially hearing about middle seat blocking was that in a hypothetical wherein I'd be willing to fly, I'd prefer a situation where my companion and I took a middle and window with an empty aisle seat, ideally across from another pair who did the same (if there were at least two people in each row). I don't know if it would be allowed, but I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen anyone discuss the concept. Of course I may have missed it.
My first thought when initially hearing about middle seat blocking was that in a hypothetical wherein I'd be willing to fly, I'd prefer a situation where my companion and I took a middle and window with an empty aisle seat, ideally across from another pair who did the same (if there were at least two people in each row). I don't know if it would be allowed, but I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen anyone discuss the concept. Of course I may have missed it.
Middle seats open through November 30 to provide Customers more personal space onboard.
- Customers can pick their seat—if you’re traveling together, you’re welcome to sit together.