Jun 17, 2020, 4:09 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Debating the value of masks is not appropriate for the UA forum -- we will discuss the UA requirements, enforcement and/or compliance. The value of masks is not UA specific issue (and not airline industry-specific either) and is best discussed elsewhere in a more universal format
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
UA COVID19 precautions: **REQUIRING** mask usage per CDC/DoT
May 1, 2020, 3:10 pm
#46
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Likely nothing. Until it becomes a legal requirement there is nothing UA could do and even then there is nothing reasonable that can be done in flight. Nothing is going to happen. Might get snide remarks from other passengers.
May 1, 2020, 4:50 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 147
I have flights booked for July and August, seatmap changed to eliminate booking the middle seat. What are the chances United will continue social distancing for then? Or they'll allow middle seat booking at a later date?
May 1, 2020, 7:45 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,954
I have 2 CR2 flights in July. The C seats are all blocked. Except for 1A, no seats on the AB side are blocked.
May 2, 2020, 10:21 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,588
Here is my flight from SFO-EWR on 2 Jun. Downsized from 777-200 to 738.
I was put in 1A
Below are seatmaps from UA site an Expertflyer
The flight shows J2, are there actually more seats open?
I was put in 1A
Below are seatmaps from UA site an Expertflyer
The flight shows J2, are there actually more seats open?
May 2, 2020, 10:31 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,337
May 2, 2020, 11:57 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 815
This could mean the seal isn’t good i.e. poor fit - which I guess shouldn’t matter if you are using it on a flight or in public. (For your job I presume you were fit tested).
May 4, 2020, 3:18 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 50
UA social distancing passengers; blocking middle seats (supposedly)
Per the information on the hub.united.com, UA should not currently be allowing passengers to "select" middle seats on flights through the end of May.
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...645397564.html
However, I've seen flights go out nearly full, even today. By looking at the Standby list, I can see there are passengers assigned to middle seats and they aren't just blocked. It appears they aren't denying boarding to anyone willing to take those middle seats. Does anyone happen to have any information on how or if this is being enforced? Curious more than anything else.
For example, you can look at UA2334 | PHX -> ORD | 5/4
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...645397564.html
However, I've seen flights go out nearly full, even today. By looking at the Standby list, I can see there are passengers assigned to middle seats and they aren't just blocked. It appears they aren't denying boarding to anyone willing to take those middle seats. Does anyone happen to have any information on how or if this is being enforced? Curious more than anything else.
For example, you can look at UA2334 | PHX -> ORD | 5/4
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 4, 2020 at 5:05 pm Reason: moved to exiiting thread
May 4, 2020, 3:21 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,337
Per the information on the hub.united.com, UA should not currently be allowing passengers to "select" middle seats on flights through the end of May.
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...645397564.html
However, I've seen flights go out nearly full, even today. By looking at the Standby list, I can see there are passengers assigned to middle seats and they aren't just blocked. It appears they aren't denying boarding to anyone willing to take those middle seats. Does anyone happen to have any information on how or if this is being enforced? Curious more than anything else.
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...645397564.html
However, I've seen flights go out nearly full, even today. By looking at the Standby list, I can see there are passengers assigned to middle seats and they aren't just blocked. It appears they aren't denying boarding to anyone willing to take those middle seats. Does anyone happen to have any information on how or if this is being enforced? Curious more than anything else.
It's not being enforced. They will happily sell those seats if they can. It's mostly for show -- people don't habitually select middle seats anyway, if they have a choice.
May 4, 2020, 5:04 pm
#55
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,731
Believe UA is preventing the pre-assignments of middle seats to encouraging social distancing but will allow purchases that then will require at the gate the use of middles. Yes, a bit saying one thing but doing the other of needed.
May 4, 2020, 10:32 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
Did anyone travel today? I'm curious how they handled the mask requirement. If you had your own did they just wave you on? Did they hand them out in a sealed package? Loose from a gloved employee? Thrown loose in the snack basket and passed through the cabin? 
May 5, 2020, 7:55 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,263
Regarding your question about masks, the GA made the announcement about the mask requirement and to notify them if they do not have a mask. The wording was something like "If you do not have a mask, please inform us and we will arrange to have someone get you a mask". It sounded like they did not have masks just sitting around and they'd have to call someone. I did not see anyone that needed to get one. On my outgoing flight (prior to the requirement), I noticed the FA offering masks. They were loose in a plastic bag and the employee was wearing gloves. On my return flight (yesterday), upon landing, the FA made an announcement that some airports require masks now and that they will not have masks for you but you can use a garment to cover your face. Strange announcement since everyone on the plane should already have a mask. They also still have the announcement about holding a tissue in front of your face or using your arm if you have to cough or sneeze.
As I noted in the other thread, about half the people removed their mask during flight. I noticed many people in the airport without masks. Nearly all pilots I've seen do not have masks on.
May 5, 2020, 8:42 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
Generally there is a bag of surgical-type masks being stocked in the flight kits for attendants to give to any passengers without a mask, and gate agents are working to make sure everyone has a mask before boarding. As with everything UA, there isn't going to be a high level of consistency in the execution, and it will take some time for everyone to figure it out, but I do think they are mostly taking it seriously.
May 5, 2020, 1:51 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
Generally there is a bag of surgical-type masks being stocked in the flight kits for attendants to give to any passengers without a mask, and gate agents are working to make sure everyone has a mask before boarding. As with everything UA, there isn't going to be a high level of consistency in the execution, and it will take some time for everyone to figure it out, but I do think they are mostly taking it seriously.
May 5, 2020, 6:14 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,007
Frontier Airlines passengers can now reserve a ‘More Room’ seat assignment – with a confirmed empty middle seat next to them. The option complements the airline’s mandatory face covering requirement for all passengers and flight crews, along with a wide variety of other initiatives aimed at achieving the highest levels of passenger well-being and comfort when flying Frontier. Passengers can select a More Room seat – starting at $39 per passenger, per flight -- on Frontier’s website, FlyFrontier.com, when booking new tickets, managing their booking, or at check-in, subject to availability.
