American requires masks for all employees and passengers age two and above are required to wear masks as well, from the time they enter their departure airport to the time they leave the airport upon arrival. Certain airlines and airports are hoping to lure back skittish passengers by offering preflight COVID-19 tests—and one airport is even giving those tests free of charge. These seats require an additional fee (prices vary based on route and flight duration). United will make masks available to passengers upon request. Customers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. Service has been limited, but water and snacks may be served on flights over 250 miles. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Blocked Seats: Frontier is blocking a limited number of middle seats in the front of the plane. Caroline Lupini is the Credit Card and Travel Analyst for Forbes Advisor. Guides. According to the airline’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage, Spirit’s “expanded aircraft cleaning protocols include hospital-grade disinfectants and antibacterial processes that keep all surfaces throughout the cabin free of viruses and bacteria.”. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. While passengers may see almost entirely unreserved seat maps at booking — expecting to find those conditions onboard — airlines are canceling and consolidating flights. Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Hawaiian is no longer blocking the sale of middle seats. As with many other carriers, vented masks are not permitted. For those who may have questions around advice for travelers, we recommend visiting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website at cdc.gov/travel.. Below is additional information to help answer questions you may have: Frontier has added a special “health acknowledgment” at check-in, asking passengers to confirm that they nor anyone in their household has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days, that they’ve checked their temperature and do not have a fever and that they will sanitize their hands before the flight. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Blocked Seats: Southwest is limiting the number of tickets sold on each flight to allow extra distancing for travel through November 30, 2020. Similar to Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, and United (Basic Economy), Sun Country Airlines charges a fee for any bag larger than a 17” x 13” x 9” personal item. Small children are not required to wear face coverings nor are passengers with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks. Buckingham Palace officials said … Like everything related to COVID-19, these policies are subject to change as airlines re-evaluate health concerns. All seats are available to purchase on Allegiant flights. Mask Policy: Hawaiian Airlines requires all passengers to wear masks during boarding, in-flight and deplaning. Delta is boarding flights from the rear of the aircraft to the front, to minimize opportunities for customers to come into contact onboard. Sun Country Airlines offers affordable flights and vacation packages to destinations across the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Mask Policy: Allegiant Airlines requires passengers and crew to wear face coverings onboard. Temperature Screenings: Notably, Frontier Airlines is the only airline requiring temperature screenings from all passengers before boarding. Mask Policy: All Frontier customers are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth, including at ticket counters and gate areas. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. JetBlue does not permit masks with exhaust valves, and if you forget your face covering at home, the airline will provide one at the gate. Alaska Airlines will have masks available for passengers who forget theirs at home. Mask Policy: All passengers flying on American Airlines are required to wear face coverings onboard. Get the latest news on how COVID-19 is impacting Chicago and Illinois. Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline news! Last month, South … Passengers are encouraged to bring their own face covering, but masks will be provided if needed. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to rage across the country, more than 100 Southwest Airlines employees in Maryland could be placed on … The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, have received their COVID-19 vaccinations, royal officials said Saturday. The night before New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of revelers clad in their bathing suits crowded onto the iconic Ipanema beach to have some seaside drinks. She's a credit card enthusiast and digital nomad who has leveraged credit cards to travel around. Now, mask requirements and space onboard may also impact your decision for flying for the holidays and beyond. What travelers say about Sun Country Air "Comfortable seats, decent leg room" Sun Country Air (SY) Best Airline Boarding #4 in the world ... Delta at least provides hand sanitizer wipes. Masks are not provided, so customers should pack their own. However, passengers may be reseated after boarding is complete to allow additional distancing if there are seats available. JetBlue is no longer limiting capacity onboard, however the airline makes it easy to purchase an additional seat for extra personal space, with detailed instructions provided on JetBlue’s website. Yesterday How you can donate your points and miles to charity. Those who cancel their flights will receive a credit toward future travel. AA encourages customers to bring their own face coverings, though a limited supply of masks may be available at the gate. Ultimately, traveling right now does carry some risk, even though it may be impossible to quantify. Passengers are "encouraged" to wear masks. Blocked Seats: United has not instituted capacity restrictions for their flight and passengers should be prepared for the possibility of completely sold out flights. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Blocked Seats: Hawaiian is currently blocking middle seats on larger aircraft until December 15. Passenger loads are capped at 67% in domestic first class cabins and 60% for main cabin (economy) and Comfort+. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may be banned from flying the airline. Passengers on these airlines will have more space to spread out. ... All Sun Country Stories. If a passenger cannot accept the health acknowledgment, they’ll be issued a credit for a future Frontier flight. Southwest has shifted from boarding groups of 30 passengers at a time to groups of 10, and gate agents are asking customers to scan their own boarding passes, minimizing interactions with staff. ), along with cockpits, galleys and other crew areas. However, some airlines continue not to book middle seats. Customers who refuse or who remove masks in-flight may be suspended from flying the airline again in the future. and applying a disinfectant fogging before every flight. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Frontier Airlines continues to closely monitor developments with respect to COVID-19. Southwest is maintaining its open seating policy, and is no longer limiting the number of seats sold. The experience in-flight is different, too. You may opt-out by. JetBlue says it is sanitizing surfaces throughout airport terminals more frequently and implementing other measures to limit contact, such as encouraging customers to scan their own boarding passes. David A.Cowney. All employees are required to wear face masks and all passengers age two and above are required to wear face coverings as well, at all Frontier areas within the airport and onboard all flights. The credit expires a year from the date the original reservation was booked but can be … For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. Sun Country has increased the frequency at which it cleans high-touch areas, including arm rests, tray tables and lavatories. Mask Policy: Customers are required to wear a face covering for boarding and the duration of the flight. Passengers will board from the rear of the aircraft to the front. Regardless, there will be space for separate parties to sit apart. The Points Guy will not sell your email. Hawaiian says it is thoroughly disinfecting all planes after each transpacific flight with hospital-grade disinfectants, focusing on common touch areas. Passengers without masks may be denied boarding. Customers traveling together are welcome to sit together, including in a middle seat if they choose. Sun Country Again, the safest option is to avoid flying altogether. However, travelers are returning to the skies as states open up and health risks feel more manageable, so planes are once again selling out. Additionally, blocking middle seats and disinfecting surfaces won’t necessarily prevent the spread of COVID-19. ... 5:55 p.m. Delta plans to block middle seats through March 2021. Airline Seating And Mask COVID-19 Policies Follow here for live updates. It might be worth it to you to pay a bit more for the assurance extra space offers. American Airlines is no longer blocking seats, and all aircraft may be sold to capacity. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Mask Policy: All JetBlue passengers and crew are required to wear face coverings while flying. American does not permit masks with valves or vents, and customers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Finally, the airline is requiring passengers to undergo a temperature check at boarding — customers with temperatures at or above 100.4 degrees will be denied boarding. The airline is conducting “deep cleans” of aircraft, including electrostatic spraying overnight, and tray tables and lavatories are disinfected before every flight. When possible, crew members may reseat customers to provide additional distancing. Sun Country Airlines is waiving change or cancellation fees for customers scheduled to travel through May 31. Sun Country Airlines has a strict mask policy posted on their website, but one Bay Area couple on a packed flight from SFO to Minnesota said there was no enforcement and a … Becky Pokora is an avid traveler with a particular love for the outdoors. Nearly all airlines require masks onboard and most have announced stringent cleaning protocols as well. Customers have a lot of factors to weigh when considering which airline to fly. Blocked Seats: American Airlines is not limiting capacity on their flights. Flying now doesn’t look like it ever has before. This equates to blocked middle seats, although they are maintaining their open seating policy. Blocked Seats: Alaska is capping all flights at 65% capacity for flights through January 6, 2021. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Blocked Seats: Allegiant is not limiting capacity on their flights. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. 3. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines (IATA: SY; ICAO: SCX) is a leader in leisure travel flying nonstop to more than 50 destinations across the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. During boarding, the airline will provide passengers with health and safety kits, which include face masks, gloves and hand wipes. In addition to regular cleaning, Allegiant is applying an antimicrobial protectant that, according to the airline, “kills viruses, germs and bacteria on contact for 14 days.” Disinfectant wipes are available upon request on all aircraft. Sun Country is not offering any service onboard, including complimentary beverages and buy-on-board products, to minimize interactions between passengers and crew. Face coverings will be provided upon request. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. When demand receded, airlines cut routes and consolidated schedules. Dec 1, 2020 Visiting the Grand Canyon with a family: Where to camp, stay and play. She's a credit card enthusiast and digital nomad who has leveraged credit cards to travel around the world for next to nothing, often in style. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. More recently, however, many U.S. states have eased restrictions, and an increasing number of travelers are taking to the skies once again. All major U.S. carriers will require masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Airlines for America, an industry trade group, announced Monday. Ask These 5 Simple Questions First, Healthcare And Childcare FSA Fix For 2021, Finally: Special Carry Over Rules And More, 5 Profitable Side Hustles That Can Literally Change Your Life, How Airline And Hotel Loyalty Programs Are Responding To Coronavirus, New Bigger Charitable Tax Break For 2021 In Year-End Spending Package, Medical Expense Deduction Tax Relief Is Big Win For Seniors In Year-End Spending Package, Go Solar! Featured photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy. Limited masks may be available if you didn’t pack one, but are not guaranteed. You are required to bring your own mask, but masks are available if needed at check-in, in lounges, boarding gates, jet bridges and onboard the aircraft. Airlines that are no longer limiting seat availability include Allegiant, American, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. Spirit is offering self bag-drop stations at select airports, minimizing interactions with employees. You'll find stories, tips, and inspiration here and on her travel blog, sightDOING. Sign up here. With a flight attendant’s permission, passengers may move to avoid sitting near other travelers, if seats are available elsewhere on the aircraft. Blocked Middle Seats. She's always looking for new ways to make travel easier, more memorable, and more affordable. Airlines, MSP step up cleaning efforts amid coronavirus pandemic Spirit employees and passengers age two and above are required to wear masks or face coverings. Seat(s) Class Seat Type Power Video Review; 1 A: None: No Power: Seat 1 A is a standard Economy Class seat that Sun Country designates as a "Best" seat. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Master List Of U.S. Sun Country now operates like an ultra-low-cost carrier in some ways and more like a traditional carrier in other aspects. United, American, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and Sun Country have all been operating with the middle seat filled for most of the pandemic. Customers planning future travel should be prepared for the possibility that this policy could change before their trip. Sun Country Airlines Cancellation COVID +1–805–372–0680 Change Policy. Driving may seem like a safer alternative, but with food and fuel stops, bathroom visits and overnight stays on longer car journeys, avoiding air travel entirely isn’t always the logical pick. Otherwise, non-compliant passengers will be denied boarding for current and/or future travel. *Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. For months, as most Americans limited trips outside their homes, airline passenger loads plummeted to levels most of us could have never imagined. They are providing passengers on all flights with a health and safety kit, which includes a single-use face mask, non-latex gloves and sanitizing wipes. The airline is also requiring customers to complete a health acknowledgement prior to boarding. “Very young children” are exempt, as is anyone with an underlying condition that prevents them from wearing one. Face masks and sanitizing wipes are available upon request. Delta is thoroughly cleaning common touchpoints (armrests, seat belts, overhead controls, etc.) Delta is keeping its middle seats blocked until at least January 6, 2021. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional information. Mask Policy: All guests are mandated to wear a mask or face covering while boarding and on board the aircraft. Set Flight Capacity. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The airline is also applying an antimicrobial solution that protects surfaces for at least seven days. Every domestic commercial airline has announced that passengers and crew members are required to wear face coverings throughout check-in, boarding and the flight itself. All inter-island aircraft are also cleaned after every flight into Honolulu (HNL) and are disinfected each night. This includes during check-in, boarding, in flight and deplaning. The airline has also installed clear shields at counters, added “distance dots” to promote distancing and shifted to an “on-demand” snack service. View our latest valuations here. All crew members are also required to wear a mask. Families who wish to be seated together despite blocked seats can speak with gate agents or flight attendants for assistance. Reviewed Nov 2020 . NO --There is no mention of a set flight capacity on any Sun Country flights. Masks with exhaust valves are not allowed, and those who refuse to wear an approved mask or face covering may be banned from flying the airline. Delta is now the only U.S. airline limiting capacity onboard, and will continue to block all middle seats through at least Mar. She would like to visit every country and try as many different local culinary specialties as possible. TPG had an opportunity to witness an aircraft cleaning — see this post for a closer look at the airline’s current procedures. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Delta is now the only US airline blocking all middle seats. United is requiring that all employees and passengers age two and above cover their faces in the airport and while onboard an aircraft. Middle seats are blocked on larger aircraft and select aisle seats are blocked on smaller aircraft for travel through March 31, 2021. This policy is set to expire on January 8, 2021. Airports are receiving only a fraction of the travelers compared to the same time last year and some eateries and other businesses are closed. Be sure to consider the extra space—or lack thereof—when choosing the best flight value. Sun Country is selling all flights to capacity. Gate agents are making frequent announcements to encourage social distancing, and the airline has added signage to encourage the practice in lines, in the gate area and onboard aircraft. Mask Policy: Passengers and crew members are required to wear face coverings onboard, with exceptions for children and those with some medical conditions. Guides. Although these policies have been in place for months, airlines are tightening enforcement and implementing consequences if you refuse, according to the Airlines for America industry trade organization. For Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines, every night a team of workers go through the planes and disinfect. They are using touchless technology to screen passengers and will deny boarding to anyone with a temperature of 100.4℉ or higher. The airline has also added a disinfectant, which is applied between day flights when an aircraft is on the ground for more than two hours, and during all overnight cleanings at the airline’s Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) hub. United is selling all flights to capacity. Becky Pokora is an avid traveler with a particular love for the outdoors. She's always looking for new ways to make travel easier, more memorable, and more. Travelers are used to comparing extra fees, baggage allowances, legroom and even coronavirus change and cancellation policies. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Without firm requirements from the federal government, policies differ significantly from one carrier to the next, creating a lot of confusion among travelers. As you might expect, airfare costs are not equal across the board. Customer-facing employees are required to wear masks. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Should have flown Delta. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Masks are available upon request at ticket counters, gates and onboard flights. Coronavirus; Subscribe Search. If a flight exceeds 65% capacity, passengers can be notified about possible reaccomodation options. Mask Policy: Alaska Airlines is requiring all crew members and passengers over the age of 2 to wear masks. Beginning on Dec. 1, 2020, Southwest will no longer block middle seats. Is now the only airline requiring temperature Screenings: Notably, Frontier Airlines is requiring that all and. Daily to your inbox also include extra legroom working for Forbes, she contributed other. A mask or face covering, but are not permitted note: this post contains references to products from or! 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