While airlines may be keen to reintroduce their aircraft into service, it seems there is still recalcitrance on behalf of passengers.
In addition to promoting enhanced deep cleaning cabin measures, some airlines are now extending social distancing protocols in an attempt to woo back travellers.
Last week Alaska Airlines launched a two-day “Buy One, Get One” sale for travel to over 100 destinations – a financial encouragement to BOGO and get the row of seats to themselves.
“As our guests begin to make decisions on when flying feels right to them, we’re looking for new and creative ways to show that our care is always there,” said Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience.
Elsewhere, India’s SpiceJet is allowing passengers to book an entire row when they purchase two seats together. Fellow Indian low-cost carrier Goair has introduced GoFlyPrivate, which allows passengers to book multiple sets or entire rows, to create what the airline says, is your own safety zone in the sky.
But it’s the efforts of Chinese regional airline Air Changan, part of the HNA Group, which trumps them all. In April, Forbes reported that the airline was offering its passengers the opportunity to purchase eight empty seats – allowing a passenger to be the only occupant in their block of three seats, plus the three seats in the row behind and the three in front.
Each extra seat was available for US$28, while the full set costs $226 for all eight seats.
While many carriers have ended the practice of blocking the middle seat citing health and financial reasons, a willingness to offer passengers the choice to book multiple seats, even if they are not occupied, gives airlines, low-cost or otherwise, a short-term revenue stream they’d be glad to have.
