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
Apr 23, 2020, 7:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,902
They are already mandated in several states including PA and NY. I'd assume that would extend to airlines. Canada mandates all airline travelers to wear a mask as well.
Apr 23, 2020, 7:02 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,357
This is what is known as "marketing." You surely cannot expect United to tell the truth, which is that nothing they do is going to make a material difference in people's safety.
Apr 27, 2020, 7:12 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
"Social distancing" seat map confusion
Ran into an odd one tonight. Looking at flight #372 HNL-SFO for May 28. The seat map on the App shows 0 FC seats available for sale or assignment. The desk top version on ua.com shows 0 for sale but 11 available to assign. Called the 1K desk and they verified 0 for sale but saw the 11 available for assignment. The agent didn't know what to make of it. Is it possible this is the beginning of keeping seats open for social distancing? That would make sense, but the seats taken in FC all seem to be bunched (maybe assigned before social distancing went into effect). Thoughts? As a side note, there are a bunch of middle seats in Y that are open to assign.
Apr 27, 2020, 10:00 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 258
Ran into an odd one tonight. Looking at flight #372 HNL-SFO for May 28. The seat map on the App shows 0 FC seats available for sale or assignment. The desk top version on ua.com shows 0 for sale but 11 available to assign. Called the 1K desk and they verified 0 for sale but saw the 11 available for assignment. The agent didn't know what to make of it. Is it possible this is the beginning of keeping seats open for social distancing? That would make sense, but the seats taken in FC all seem to be bunched (maybe assigned before social distancing went into effect). Thoughts? As a side note, there are a bunch of middle seats in Y that are open to assign.
Lots of the EWR - SFO/LAX routes with multiple flights per day in May have atleast 1 of said flights showing 0 FC flights for sale. My guess is they dont want to overbook J.
Apr 27, 2020, 10:58 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Ordinarily, I might agree with you but not in this case. There is only 1 flight per day each way to/from Hawaii and the mainland now that UA got approval to discontinue service to all other islands..... this one. I'm leaning to social distancing meets UA IT.
Apr 27, 2020, 11:08 pm
#21
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UA is not planning to fly the plane half-empty, up front, If that's what you're thinking. The seat blocking could be anything, but the inventory being zeroed out is likely because they consolidated all of their Hawaiian passengers to one plane. It wouldn't surprise me if it were actually oversold up front, as they expect people to cancel. It's just that some people don't have seat assignments yet.
Apr 28, 2020, 12:02 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Do you already have a ticket on this flight, or are you looking to buy one?
UA is not planning to fly the plane half-empty, up front, If that's what you're thinking. The seat blocking could be anything, but the inventory being zeroed out is likely because they consolidated all of their Hawaiian passengers to one plane. It wouldn't surprise me if it were actually oversold up front, as they expect people to cancel. It's just that some people don't have seat assignments yet.
UA is not planning to fly the plane half-empty, up front, If that's what you're thinking. The seat blocking could be anything, but the inventory being zeroed out is likely because they consolidated all of their Hawaiian passengers to one plane. It wouldn't surprise me if it were actually oversold up front, as they expect people to cancel. It's just that some people don't have seat assignments yet.
Your explanations all make sense. I was just commenting that the App and ua.com seat maps for F are totally different. The App shows 0 seats to select in F while .com shows 11 seats available for selection. Neither has actual F seats available for sale. I've just never seen the seat maps differ between the App & .com
Apr 28, 2020, 12:05 am
#23
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Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,357
I'm currently ticketed on the flight in Y. The ideal for me would be for a light load and snag a row of 3 and stretch out away from other passengers.
Your explanations all make sense. I was just commenting that the App and ua.com seat maps for F are totally different. The App shows 0 seats to select in F while .com shows 11 seats available for selection. Neither has actual F seats available for sale. I've just never seen the seat maps differ between the App & .com
Your explanations all make sense. I was just commenting that the App and ua.com seat maps for F are totally different. The App shows 0 seats to select in F while .com shows 11 seats available for selection. Neither has actual F seats available for sale. I've just never seen the seat maps differ between the App & .com
Apr 28, 2020, 12:16 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Could very well be the case. I just checked via Expert Flyer again and there are 0 F seats showing available now. Must have been a "bad pointer" and they fixed it. Thanks for the insight.
Apr 28, 2020, 8:23 am
#25
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That actually dates back to when they did the JCDZP realignment for domestic F and then had the issue of whether you could select the 3-class F seats on Business fares.
Apr 28, 2020, 7:44 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 258
All middle seats blocked on upcoming flight
This is making me feel better about a trip I have to take. LAX-EWR
Apr 29, 2020, 8:58 pm
#27
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,450
Seems like it took them several days to get this fully rolled out, but I think it is now active systemwide.
Apr 29, 2020, 9:06 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 258
Yup. Here is the official statement from United when trying to change seat...
Apr 30, 2020, 12:46 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
This is a positive step, but I'm not sure it will really lead to much distancing. They are blocking seats only for "advanced selection". If I read that right, once you get to the airport those seats can be assigned if a) a couple/family wants to sit together or b) they sell enough seats that those middle seats are needed.
With the drastic reduction in capacity (in many cases only 1 non-stop between cities where there used to be as many as 5-6) the odds are those seats will be needed. That means a lot of "touch points" between staff and passengers handing out boarding passes and people likely crowding the podium wanting seat assignments.
I applaud their initiative, but I'm concerned the execution might be challenging in meeting real social distancing goals.
With the drastic reduction in capacity (in many cases only 1 non-stop between cities where there used to be as many as 5-6) the odds are those seats will be needed. That means a lot of "touch points" between staff and passengers handing out boarding passes and people likely crowding the podium wanting seat assignments.
I applaud their initiative, but I'm concerned the execution might be challenging in meeting real social distancing goals.
Apr 30, 2020, 1:00 am
#30
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* r = 3 feet in πr˛
Last edited by jsloan; Apr 30, 2020 at 8:57 am