Atlanta-Based Delta Air Lines Ready To Refill Its Middle Seats

Delta is directing customers back to their seats. All of them.

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) will unblock the sale of its middle seats on all its flights starting May 1, the company said Wednesday.

While other major carriers resumed resumed booking middle seats last summer, Delta kept extending the policy that started April 2020 as a way to provide peace of mind to its ridership as part of its aim to position itself as the world’s most trustworthy carrier.

Delta on Wednesday cited scientific studies from 2020 showing the risk of transmission onboard a full aircraft with everyone wearing a mask is nearly one in a million.

CEO Ed Bastian said that 65% of the people who flew Delta in 2019 anticipate having at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. The airline’s mask requirements will continue and decision-making will come from experts at the Mayo Clinic and Emory, as well as Dr. Henry Ting, its chief health officer since January.