Delta Air Lines To Block Middle Seats On All Flights Through April 2021

Last Updated on Jul 11th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra, Leave a Comment

Delta Air Lines is the only US airline that has been prioritizing the safety of travelers. It has been doing so by blocking the middle seats and limiting the capacity on all the flights since April 2020. 

In November 2020, the statement released by the airline stated that the policy will continue till March 2021. However, now, a new update has emerged. It states that the seat blocking policy will continue for another month i.e. till 30 April 2021.

This comes as a sigh of relief for senior citizens and children whose immunities are a little on the weaker side. Also, in a situation where all the major US carriers have dumped the most crucial safety measure of COVID-19 which is SOCIAL DISTANCING, Delta’s firm hold on its policies is worth appreciating. 

Thus, USA to India flight bookings that were being postponed because of safety issues can now be considered. And MyTicketsToIndia (a leading air-ticketing portal that is headquartered in the USA) can help you out in this ordeal. 

How Does Delta Air Lines Seat-Blocking Policy Work?

Delta Air Lines blocks the middle seats on flights with 3-3 seating configurations. On regional jets with 2-2 seating, it blocks at least one seat in each row. For planes with other configurations – notably widebody jets – sales are capped at about 75%.

Why Did Delta Air Lines Take This Step?

Delta has taken this step to ensure that passengers are able to confidently plan their travel, without any apprehensions. The fewer the number of passengers, the more is the space they can enjoy which leads to higher safety. 

It reduces anxiety and promotes air travel, considering that some people are still scared to return to the skies. 

Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, Bill Lentsch said, “We want our customers to have complete confidence when traveling with Delta, and they continue to tell us that more space provides more peace of mind.” 

“We’ll continue to reassess seat blocking in relation to case transmission and vaccination rates while bringing back products and services in ways that instill trust in the health and safety of everyone on board – that will always be Delta’s priority,” he added. 

Other Measures By Delta To Curb COVID-19

Apart from extending its seat blocking policy by a month, Delta has taken various other steps. The same is done in order to reassure customers of a safe and healthy air journey. These are as follows- 

1) At-Home COVID-19 Tests

People in the USA can opt for at-home COVID-19 testing. For instance, if you’re planning to book India flights from USA, you can purchase an at-home COVID-19 test prior to your travel. You can also pack another kit to comply with the negative-test requirements before boarding a flight back to USA. This handy and easy-to-use kit ensures 100% trip enjoyment without any burden hanging over the head regarding finding testing locations. 

2) In-Person Testing At Nearby Locations

In case an at-home test isn’t needed, Delta Air Lines has a dedicated COVID-19 testing locations page. It makes it easier for the passengers to identify nearby testing locations across its international network. This makes in-person COVID tests prior to travel an easy-breezy affair. 

Perry Cantarutti, S.V.P. – Alliances & International, said, “We are focused on creating innovative solutions for our customers and have developed a new online tool that will make it easier for our customers to find approved testing centers at convenient locations prior to their travel to the USA.”

“Alongside this dedicated resource, we are working with our alliance partners around the world to leverage their local test providers as another way to support our customers ahead of the CDC order coming into effect.”

Note: Customers can also use any laboratory or test provider offering one of the following tests – molecular test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), RT-PCR test, LAMP test, or antigen test. Antibody tests are not accepted. For those taking connecting flights to the U.S., the test must be taken within three days of the initial flight. Apart from this, the connection time must not exceed 24 hours. 

3) Directory Of Testing Centers

Travelers can use the SkyTeam directory of testing centers within the countries that member airlines serve. Travelers flying on Delta partner airlines will also be able to leverage the testing solutions offered, either at-home or in-person.

4) Direct Upload & Verification Of Documents 

Travelers can now directly upload and verify their documents at the check-in counter. All thanks to the new functionality available via delta channels like pre-flight emails and on Delta.com along with Fly Delta App. This has been possible through Delta’s partnership with TrustAssure. If one gets a “Ready to Fly” screen on the screen, it means that the person has submitted a verified COVID test and can safely travel. 

Delta has, thus, built a digital concierge for booking management, test scheduling, and automatic test verification.

Bill Lentsch (Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer) said, “Customers have more travel information coming their way than ever before – with updated COVID-19 testing requirements to digest, new forms to complete, and different digital experiences to download and navigate. Therefore, from simplifying testing to developing an integrated suite of tools on Delta.com, we’re continuing to introduce additional features meant to enhance the existing experience and strengthen the airline’s position as a leader in charting the global recovery.”

5) Interactive Travel Map

It helps flyers plan and book their next trip with up-to-date details regarding travel restrictions and requirements of the countries that Delta serves. 

6) Deploying Clean Ambassadors 

Delta Air Lines has deployed a team of clean ambassadors across 55 airports in USA to ensure that they are sanitized and safe. 

7) Expansion Of Rapid Testing Centers

Apart from the testing facilities that Delta Air Lines offers at Atlanta, New York – JFK, Seattle, and Boston, it has expanded its base to Delta’s hub airports in Detroit and Minneapolis as well. 

8) Delta Vacations

Customers who book international travel through Delta Vacations can rejoice as this airline only sells those international hotels and resorts that offer on-site testing for travel through April 2021. 

9) Delta CareStandard – 100 Layers of Protection

Under Delta CareStandard, the airline ensures 360-degree protection for its travelers by putting various measures in place. Some of these are

(i) a comprehensive employee testing program

(ii) regularly sanitizing high-touch surfaces

(iii) replacing onboard industrial-grade HEPA filters twice as often as recommended. 

10) Upgraded In-Flight Experience

Delta Air Lines is in the process of refreshing more than 300 new in-flight entertainment options. Not only this; it has also come up with the plan of introducing high-speed wi-fi onboard this year. 

Where Can One Book USA to India Delta Air Lines Flights?

MyTicketsToIndia is a leading flight-booking portal with travel experts who know the latest updates. Be it regarding the major airlines, travel restrictions, or quarantine policies, we have it sorted. 

Besides this, we resolve flight-booking queries in a millisecond. We tackle questions like whether you can book India to USA flights and if COVID-19 is required and who can book USA to India flights with friendliness and patience.

Long story short, we are an air-ticketing portal with not just the lowest airfare policy but with the best after-sales services. We also have a trust score of 4.8 based on more than 5k reviews. We have, thus, been helping clients with international guidelines for USA to India travel and in booking cheap flights to India from USA. 

But before boarding a flight, knowing if the COVID-19 test is required for India travel or not is important. And we’ll let you know the nitty-gritty of it all. All you need to do is get in touch with us. You can do that by giving us a call, filling the query form, or by joining the live chat. 

(Calling us will give you a hefty discount of up to $35 off.) 

We hope to see you on the other side of the phone soon.

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