Airlines balance fewer flights with angry travellers seeking social distance
US airlines are grappling with one outcome of the deep schedule cuts they’ve made in response to near-zero travel demand: Many of the flights that remain are starting to fill up, complicating social distancing guidelines and angering some passengers. While carrier traffic is still down about 90% from typical levels, not everyone has stopped flying. More than 215,000 people traversed US security checkpoints last Friday, the highest total since March 25, according to the TSA. As air travel gradually returns in the pandemic era, airlines will face a fraught choice: Continue onboard social distancing by limiting cabin occupancy and increasing scheduled flights, or keep the number of trips in line with demand, which could lead to more crowded planes but also financially benefit cash-strapped carriers. “There may be a mismatch of expectations — nobody promised a private jet,” said Samuel Engel, head of the aviation group at consultant ICF. “With all the pictures of empty planes, passengers might have gotten the impression that it was a guarantee. In practice, most planes are running with light loads, but that doesn’t mean every one is.” Given the airlines’ swift slide from profitability into survival mode, expect to see many middle seats filled — barring regulatory mandates that they be left unoccupied. These days, an increasing number of passengers are complaining on social media about full cabins — and how close fellow travellers are sitting — even though most commercial aircraft are still flying with loads that are far below normal. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2020-05-12/general/airlines-balance-fewer-flights-with-angry-travellers-seeking-social-distance
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Airlines balance fewer flights with angry travellers seeking social distance
US airlines are grappling with one outcome of the deep schedule cuts they’ve made in response to near-zero travel demand: Many of the flights that remain are starting to fill up, complicating social distancing guidelines and angering some passengers. While carrier traffic is still down about 90% from typical levels, not everyone has stopped flying. More than 215,000 people traversed US security checkpoints last Friday, the highest total since March 25, according to the TSA. As air travel gradually returns in the pandemic era, airlines will face a fraught choice: Continue onboard social distancing by limiting cabin occupancy and increasing scheduled flights, or keep the number of trips in line with demand, which could lead to more crowded planes but also financially benefit cash-strapped carriers. “There may be a mismatch of expectations — nobody promised a private jet,” said Samuel Engel, head of the aviation group at consultant ICF. “With all the pictures of empty planes, passengers might have gotten the impression that it was a guarantee. In practice, most planes are running with light loads, but that doesn’t mean every one is.” Given the airlines’ swift slide from profitability into survival mode, expect to see many middle seats filled — barring regulatory mandates that they be left unoccupied. These days, an increasing number of passengers are complaining on social media about full cabins — and how close fellow travellers are sitting — even though most commercial aircraft are still flying with loads that are far below normal. <br/>
