Delta Is Pausing Automatic Advance Upgrades & Blocking Middle Seats
Times are changing and airlines are trying to make people feel safe about flying again. There are going to be temperature checks, new boarding processes and blocking advance upgrades. Wait, huh? Did you say blocking advance upgrades? It is true Delta is pausing automatic advance upgrades & blocking middle seats in the name of safety but it isn’t as bad as it sounds. Hopefully it will make the boarding process easier and make spacing out passengers more successful. Let’s take a look at the Delta changes.
Delta Changes
Starting April 13 through June 30, the following temporary changes will go into effect to further promote a safe flying experience:
- We are blocking middle seats in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select across all flights. When booking your future seat selection via the Fly Delta App or online, middle seats will be shown as unavailable.
- We are reducing the number of customers on each flight.
- We are pausing automatic, advance Medallion Complimentary Upgrades. These will now be processed at the gate – still in priority order – to allow gate agents to determine how to best seat customers while considering aircraft weight-and-balance restrictions.
- Customers who want more space can explore options via the Fly Delta App or at delta.com. Customers who prefer to be seated directly next to travel companions and family members or needing additional assistance should contact Reservations ahead of travel or talk to a Delta agent upon arriving at the gate.
In addition to transforming cleanliness across aircraft and airports to deliver our new Delta Clean standard for the long term, Delta people have already taken the following steps over the last few weeks to help provide more space for customers:
- Streamlining food and beverage service on board all U.S. domestic and international flights to decrease touch points between customers and crew.
- Boarding customers 10 at a time, reminding them to add extra space as they board, and working with customers to find a new seat within their cabin if needed and as space allows.
- Connecting with customers onboard after the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet, to help them find a new seat while complying with weight-and-balance restrictions.
- Extending the ability to plan, re-book and travel with us for up to two years – giving Delta customers some extra breathing room for changes.
Safety requires that customers sit close to their assigned seat
An aircraft’s safe operation requires a balanced distribution of weight inside the cabin. To balance needs of aircraft weight and balance with the desire of customers to have more space, customers will need to be seated within the same class of service and within three rows (in front or behind) of their assigned seat.
Full Details
Final Thoughts
While this may seem like a nuisance to elite Delta Medallion members their reasoning makes sense, at least mostly. By waiting to see who shows up for the flight and actually passes through security they can be sure they properly distribute the weight on the plane for take off and landing. This usually doesn’t take much effort since flights are usually full but on half empty planes it takes some planning and coordinating.
I still think there could be a hybrid system that would have them issue upgrades ahead of time and then adjust if there is a no show etc. But this is their business and they know more about the workings of airline seating and how to best streamline the process than I do.
I like the other changes like blocking middle seats and taking on less passengers. Most airlines have said that they will block middle seats, at least when they can. It seems like Delta is planning on taking it a step further and will be limiting how many people can get on each flight. If that will actually be the case remains to be seen. Although blocking the middle seat may be “safety theater” I understand that this will make people more comfortable during a stressful time. That in turn should make the flight attendant’s job easier.
What do you think about Delta pausing automatic advance upgrades & blocking middle seating?
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Are they actually blocking seats or just not letting you reserve them and filling them with people who didn’t bother to pick their seat?
It says they will be shown as unavailable so I think they will be blocked unless you are flying with companions and you will need to call in to book them.