Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers

Southwest Keeps Middle Seats Open Through Thanksgiving

Airline commits to continue limiting capacity on flights to allow social distancing

September 17, 2020

Southwest Airlines has announced that it will continue limiting the amount of seats sold on every flight to allow middle seats to remain open until Nov. 30, through the usually busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period. Previously the airline had said it would continue the policy only through Oct. 31.

“As we transition into autumn and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday season, we want Southwest customers to have the confidence of knowing that middle seats will remain open through Nov. 30 to accommodate their fall travel plans,” said Ryan Green, Southwest’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer in a press statement.

Delta Air Lines has already committed to keeping middle seats open until January 2021. United and American Airlines are both booking middle seats, although customers are informed of full flights and are allowed to rebook with no penalties if flights and middle seats are filled.

southwest.com