Filling Middie Seats Starting 12/1
Oct 23, 2020, 2:15 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,194
This whole decision and emails couldn't have come at a worst time-new daily case records in US. Despite the airline and travel industry sponsored studies trying to prove safety measures, there is extremely limited contact tracing possible with Southwest open seating.
To make things worse I just saw a news report that a customer DIED of Covid19 on a 90 minute Vegas to Dallas flight. Airlines or health authorities delayed this report considerably, so I wonder if more unfortunate incidents happened.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/woman-died-of-covid-19-on-flight-between-las-vegas-dallas-2158269/
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article246570138.html#storylink=related_inline
Last edited by expert7700; Oct 23, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Oct 23, 2020, 2:29 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Central US
Programs: WN CP, HHonors, Hyatt Platinum, IHG Premier,LaQuinta Elite, Amtrak
Posts: 452
I wonder if WN is going to regret this decision. I have to say that I would seriously look at DL now if traveling with one family member. I'm not sure that scientists would agree that it makes a difference, but having a row with just my wife and I feels different than having someone else in my row.
Oct 23, 2020, 2:51 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,353
I agree. How was it that you didn't predict that there would be a global pandemic and take that into account in making this decision? 😊
In all seriousness, I wonder if WN is going to regret this decision. I have to say that I would seriously look at DL now if traveling with one family member. I'm not sure that scientists would agree that it makes a difference, but having a row with just my wife and I feels different than having someone else in my row.
In all seriousness, I wonder if WN is going to regret this decision. I have to say that I would seriously look at DL now if traveling with one family member. I'm not sure that scientists would agree that it makes a difference, but having a row with just my wife and I feels different than having someone else in my row.
Not allowing purchase of an extra seat is pretty bad; if someone's willing to pay regular price they should be allowed to.
Oct 23, 2020, 2:57 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Let me check my Logbook
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards; AAdvantage; Alaska Mileage Plan; Wyndham Rewards; Choice Hotels
Posts: 2,350
I have traveled during Covid. The biggest issue I found is during deplaning when everyone still stands in the aisle hoping to get off the plane as quickly as possible. You are going to be close to a person if you wish to travel by air. That is the cost of being able to cross the country in a few hours for a low price. You have to decide if the benefit outweighs the cost to you,
Oct 23, 2020, 3:07 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Oct 23, 2020, 3:20 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
I agree. How was it that you didn't predict that there would be a global pandemic and take that into account in making this decision? 😊
In all seriousness, I wonder if WN is going to regret this decision. I have to say that I would seriously look at DL now if traveling with one family member. I'm not sure that scientists would agree that it makes a difference, but having a row with just my wife and I feels different than having someone else in my row.
In all seriousness, I wonder if WN is going to regret this decision. I have to say that I would seriously look at DL now if traveling with one family member. I'm not sure that scientists would agree that it makes a difference, but having a row with just my wife and I feels different than having someone else in my row.
It is very clear here that you travel, you do so at your own risk. Period. Many businesses seem to be rolling back COVID requirements in recent weeks; I see loose unwrapped donuts in some supermarket bakeries again for self serve with the little wax tissue, many retailers have stopped sanitizing shopping carts, etc. It is really interesting cases are suddenly spiking as requirements seem to be rolling back. Here in NV we have expanded gathering size limits to 250 to help get conferences, etc. going again - if anyone attends them. I am sure some folks will. At this point the gig is up, businesses cannot afford to keep sustaining losses due to COVID restrictions and are dialing things back. The question mark is if customers will show up to these looser-restricted businesses in numbers strong enough for the businesses to go back to being profitable. I don't think they will.
$o regarding $outhwest and it$ deci$ion to re-open the middle $eats, it i$ clearly all about profitability. $outhwest ju$t want$ to fill it$ flight$, that i$ all. It i$ clearly a bu$ine$$ decision.
If fewer people will fly Southwest because people feel unsafe with a packed plane, then by default Southwest middle seats will still be empty because many customers will vote with their feet and not fly or fly Delta or Alaska. We will see what happens I guess. Reality is the best time to travel for the traveler in terms of traveler safety and ability to distance was back in March/April when hardly anyone was traveling and the airlines were still flying full schedules. No mask requirement back then either.
Oct 23, 2020, 4:20 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
May start as a new thread -- but hopefully a quick answer. I booked a January 2021 flight using travel funds from a flight that was cancelled back in the spring. I received the email offering a refund base on middle seat policy. The fine print on my "refund opportunity" reads as follows:
"**If you cancel on Southwest.com, swabiz.com, or through any other channel rather than by completing the form through the link provided in this email, or if your original form of payment was a gift card, funds from your flight will be reserved for future travel instead of being refunded to your original form of payment." [emphasis mine]
If I cancelled by using this form, what are the chances my credit card originally used to book my spring travel will get the cash refund? Note it only references "gift card" as an original form of payment that will be returned as such. Says nothing about travel funds. Worth the attempt?
"**If you cancel on Southwest.com, swabiz.com, or through any other channel rather than by completing the form through the link provided in this email, or if your original form of payment was a gift card, funds from your flight will be reserved for future travel instead of being refunded to your original form of payment." [emphasis mine]
If I cancelled by using this form, what are the chances my credit card originally used to book my spring travel will get the cash refund? Note it only references "gift card" as an original form of payment that will be returned as such. Says nothing about travel funds. Worth the attempt?
Oct 23, 2020, 5:03 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Aadvantage Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 73
I flew AS (my first flight since February) at the beginning of October, and while they do their best, my wife heard a pair of strangers talking, sitting adjacent on an Embraer. And there are reports on the AS board that indicate that when there are IRROPS they are filling blocked seats.
So Delta is still the bastion (or should I say, Bastian
) of safety until January 6 2021.
So Delta is still the bastion (or should I say, Bastian
) of safety until January 6 2021.Hawaiian is still doing it too, I believe until perhaps the end of the year
Oct 23, 2020, 7:29 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
ATL connections are fine with the schedules cut back like this, and more connections are available there than other options. That airport is also the squeaky-cleanest I have seen in the Eastern US recently. This applies to WN and to DL.
Oct 23, 2020, 8:30 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
May start as a new thread -- but hopefully a quick answer. I booked a January 2021 flight using travel funds from a flight that was cancelled back in the spring. I received the email offering a refund base on middle seat policy. The fine print on my "refund opportunity" reads as follows:
"**If you cancel on Southwest.com, swabiz.com, or through any other channel rather than by completing the form through the link provided in this email, or if your original form of payment was a gift card, funds from your flight will be reserved for future travel instead of being refunded to your original form of payment." [emphasis mine]
If I cancelled by using this form, what are the chances my credit card originally used to book my spring travel will get the cash refund? Note it only references "gift card" as an original form of payment that will be returned as such. Says nothing about travel funds. Worth the attempt?
"**If you cancel on Southwest.com, swabiz.com, or through any other channel rather than by completing the form through the link provided in this email, or if your original form of payment was a gift card, funds from your flight will be reserved for future travel instead of being refunded to your original form of payment." [emphasis mine]
If I cancelled by using this form, what are the chances my credit card originally used to book my spring travel will get the cash refund? Note it only references "gift card" as an original form of payment that will be returned as such. Says nothing about travel funds. Worth the attempt?
Oct 24, 2020, 12:04 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
Oct 25, 2020, 4:47 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Oct 25, 2020, 5:28 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,189
Airlines can not lose 8-figures every single day forever.
I guess once all businesses are bankrupt, we will have something else to complain about.
And I have a feeling I know who is gonna get blamed.
I guess once all businesses are bankrupt, we will have something else to complain about.
And I have a feeling I know who is gonna get blamed.
Last edited by toomanybooks; Oct 25, 2020 at 5:33 am