Empty middle seat not enough room on an airplane? Airlines from EasyJet to United
Passengers on one airline wanting even more social distancing can now buy eight empty seats. That allows a passenger to be the only occupant in their block of three seats, plus the three seats in the row behind and the three in front.
More empty seats increase the separation between passengers than if only relying on a single empty middle seat, which places travellers well within six feet of each other.
Each extra seat is $28, and having the full cocoon costs $226 for all eight seats. Extra seats do not come with further luggage allowance or frequent flyer points.
Some airlines are making aircraft cabins more spacious, at least temporarily
The option is from China’s Air Changan, a domestic carrier part of the HNA Group, according to a notice from the news division of regulator CAAC.
“Buying extra seats gives you more peace of mind and protection, and you can enjoy a more spacious rest space during the trip,” CAAC News said.
The offer is only available on the day of departure at the airport and if seats are available. So passengers might end up having a few empty seats by luck without paying.
Air Changan is only offering the eight extra seats on flights from its home base of Xi’an in central China. Initially the extra seat product is available through December 31.
Airlines giving free empty middle seats are already setting quick deadlines. Alaska Airlines
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, won’t fly if it has to take out middle seats, leaving it with only two-thirds of inventory. Its rational is both health and financial.
“We can’t make money on 66% load factors,” CEO Michael O’Leary said to the Financial Times. “Even if you do that, the middle seat doesn’t deliver any social distancing, so it’s kind of an idiotic idea that doesn’t achieve anything anyway.”
Sharing that view is Expedia Group
Ryanair may end having social distancing onboard since O’Leary expects July load factors to be 50-60%. Fellow European low-cost airlines EasyJet and Wizz Air do plan to offer empty middle seats, but have not said for how long.
Airlines and regulators face a careful balance between short-term reassurance and false expectations for the future.
Despite being months into the pandemic, most airlines are not following China’s early scientific explanations of aircraft using HEPA filters and how cabin airflow works. Vertical airflow in the cabin limits the spread of air, unlike conventional air conditioners that blow air horizontally across many people.
In addition to passing through filters, cabin air is regularly replaced with new air inducted through the engines and then cooled down and filtered.
