If you can help it, stay home and stay safe. These are the practical guidelines set out by the United States government for the entirety of the coronavirus craze. Some have been able to comply, as there has been a steep increase in the amount of work from home mandates by companies. Others, however, have found it necessary to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airlines have taken a big hit this year. They have done their best to produce solutions on the fly, like revamped air filtration systems and between-flight disinfection of the entire cabin. While others have taken further steps, a select few airlines are trying to return to business as usual. Here are a few airlines packing flights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
American Airlines
Since a June statement regarding their booking policy, American Airlines has been booking flights at full capacity. They released a guide of other COVID-19 precautions taken by the airline, mostly in response to complaints about the non-social distancing practiced on their flights.1 While masks are still required to be worn for the duration of the flight, middle seats are occupied, a direct disregard for the allotted six-foot distance established as the norm by the CDC.
United Airlines
Dating back as far as May, United has played it rather loose with its coronavirus travel precautions. While their guidelines when you travel during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate leaving the middle seat in each aisle unoccupied, photos of packed planes with the middle seats taken have sprouted up across social media platforms.1
If you feel comfortable or find it necessary to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to understand the precautions being taken by the respective airlines. While some are keeping their capacities low and establishing social distancing measures along with mask-wearing, others are not. We may never fully grasp how much travel during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the overall spread of the coronavirus. The only thing you can do is be mindful of others and take the necessary individual precautions to benefit the rest of the flight.
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Sources:
Forbes: American, United Airlines Will Go Back To Packing Flights Despite Covid-19 Coronavirus
