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 5, 2020, 6:20 pm
#61
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,832
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
And UA is not presently guaranteeing empty middles
May 5, 2020, 6:24 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
UA has had this option for years
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
And UA is not presently guaranteeing empty middles
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
And UA is not presently guaranteeing empty middles
David
May 7, 2020, 12:17 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 734
Nice. How do you know if a seat is blocked or actually taken? It looks like neither map tells you. Sometimes, they block my favorite seat. I will see if you can request by calling up the help desk.
May 7, 2020, 12:42 pm
#64
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,832
May 8, 2020, 12:17 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Sorry, I'm lousy at linking info to my posts but I just stumbled across something. In the latest version of the App on Android, if you go to a seat map for a flight on which you're booked it shows the difference between blocked vs sold seats. It didn't show the difference when trying to book a flight, only on flights where I have a reservation.
May 8, 2020, 3:45 pm
#66
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
It seems like there United policy is MUCH worse than Aa and ESPECIALLY Delta. Delta has blocked all middles as well as some windows and aisles, AA won't assign 50% of middles. United flies A319 and 737-700 and just fills them up as tightly as they can. Kind of disappointing, and definitely not competitive.
May 9, 2020, 11:56 pm
#67
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
Amend thread title: providing masks "but not requiring use like other airlines.."
The title of the thread should clarify that United is not mandating the use of masks. Tens of thousands of lives in the US could have been saved if the country was more aggressive in the use of masks. Who is coughing in the grocery store? One of the few not wearing a mask! Simple measures could have saved the economy. If I have to fly it will be on an airline that mandates that passengers must wear masks. If a person has an active cough, they should not be permitted on the flight. On a United flight last year I took a screen shot of the upgrade list to document the coughing passenger in the event of litigation. The person was coughing without even trying to cover her mouth. How many times have you gotten a cold or the flu after a flight?
May 10, 2020, 1:41 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,390
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...ght-attendants
(Emphasis added)
In coordination with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) — we were the first major U.S. carrier to require that all flight attendants wear a facial covering to help protect themselves and customers on board our aircraft. That mandate was expanded to include all employees on board and effective May 4, all travelers are required to wear a facial covering on board. We encourage customers to bring their own face coverings, but our customer service agents will be able to provide them if you don't have one when you board our aircraft. Certain customers – such as those who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering, those who cannot put on or remove a face covering themselves and small children – will not be required to wear one on board. This added protection aligns with current CDC guidelines and more information can be found here.
May 10, 2020, 8:06 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
It seems like row 1 is blocked on every flight now. Why?
May 10, 2020, 8:51 am
#70
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
May 10, 2020, 9:27 am
#71
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
People are scared on this flight
Has this been posted from SF press today? Doesn't make me want to fly again anytime soon, even though I miss it terribly.
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-doctor-returning-from-helping-in-NY-plane-15259851.php
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-doctor-returning-from-helping-in-NY-plane-15259851.php
May 10, 2020, 9:31 am
#72
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
Sometimes row 1 shows an empty seat but when I try to select it, it gives an error.
May 10, 2020, 9:35 am
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
It's not really news. There have been plenty of stories and videos of crowded planes.
May 10, 2020, 9:44 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,016
If I hear someone cough, I think about the worst case...
May 10, 2020, 9:48 am
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
No news. There are dozens of stories like this. If air carriers practiced CDC-recommended distancing, e.g. 6', that would mean (in a standard single aisle coach cabin), that there could be one passenger in each window every second row. Thus 2 passengers for 18 seats or "sold out" would be just about 10% of pre-Covid capacity (when many domestic services were running at or about 100%). You figure out the pricing to maintain anywhere near break-even.
So, at least for the time being, the trade off is between CDC guideline safety and price for those who absolutely must fly. For the rest, it is simply a risk tolerance matter.
So, at least for the time being, the trade off is between CDC guideline safety and price for those who absolutely must fly. For the rest, it is simply a risk tolerance matter.