Airline Will Keep Middle Seat Empty For $39 Fee

NBC News reports:

Frontier Airlines is telling passengers that if they want the middle seat blocked they can pay for it. Customers will be able to select a “more room” option, beginning at $39, to ensure that the middle seat is reserved without a passenger, the airline announced Monday. Some airlines such as Delta and EasyJet have already started to block off the middle seat, where possible, to allow for social distancing.

Starting May 8, face coverings are also mandatory at the gate and boarding areas as well as on the plane, the airline said. “While we believe the best measure to keep everyone healthy is to require face coverings, for those who want an empty seat next to them for extra peace of mind or simply additional comfort, we are now offering “More Room,” Frontier chief executive Barry Biffle said in a statement.

Frontier will also ask passengers to attest that they and everyone in their household have been symptom-free for 14 days prior to boarding.