ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines is taking more action to help limit the spread of COVID-19 but making more space for travelers and blocking more seats on flights.
The Atlanta-based airline announced changes Tuesday that will be effective through June 30.
The airline is taking the following steps:
- Capping seating at 50% in first class.
- Capping seating at 60% in the main cabin and Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select sections.
- Blocking select window and aisle seats in all cabins configured with 1x2, 2x2 and 2x3 seating.
- Delta has already blocked middle seats on all flights since mid-April.
Delta is also requiring employees and passengers to wear face coverings on every flights. This is in addition to extensive cleaning practices before every flights, state-of-the-art HEPA filters and an adjusted boarding practice that loads passengers from back to front. Delta is also providing hand sanitizer and other protective equipment.
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It’s been a tough economic week for the local airline. Mega investor, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, announced he will sell $4 billion worth of stock from several airlines. His company owned about 11% of Delta Air Lines’ stock.
"The world changed for airlines and I wish them well," Buffett said.
Channel 2 consumer adviser Clark Howard said it was a major blow to Delta, the state’s largest private employer.
"His vote of no confidence is another nail in the coffin for airlines," Howard said.
To win back that confidence, carriers are now requiring passengers and crew to wear protective masks.
But the flight attendants’ union wants to ban leisure travel until national safety measures are in place.
“Because the flights have been pulled down, we’re seeing more and more full flights without policies that really address proper social distancing,” said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants.
A Delta spokesperson also told Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston that airline will endure as a better, stronger and more resilient airline in the future.
The company employs more than 90,000 people worldwide, including around 33,000 workers in Georgia.
To read more about the guidelines for wearing masks and how to make one at home, CLICK HERE.
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