Flying During COVID-19: Allegiant Providing Safety Kits, Frontier Charging to Keep Middle Seat Empty

The airline industry has been decimated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with empty or nearly empty flights being the standard as states have ordered people to stay home.

Planes are still flying, though, and airlines have taken different approaches on how to keep customers safe.

The latest changes comes from Allegiant, which flies out of Lehigh Valley International Airport, and Frontier.

On Sunday, Allegiant CEO Scott Sheldon announced the company will provide complimentary health and safety kits to customers.

The kits include a single-use face mask, a pair of disposable non-latex gloves and cleaning wipes. It’s expected the kits will be available this week, to be handed out to customers as they board their flights.

Other airlines at LVIA, including Delta, American and United, require face masks. Starting Monday, American Airlines announced it will distribute sanitizing wipes and face coverings to customers.

LVIA has a web page with the list of carriers and their requirements to fly here, as well as other COVID-19 travel information.

“The airport strongly encourages travelers to visit the website a requirements and terminal procedures are different for enhanced passenger safety,” LVIA spokesman Colin Riccobon said. “Through this unprecedented time in air travel, the more information you have prior to getting to the terminal, the more prepared you will be."

Frontier Airlines is making headlines for a different reason.

Frontier Airlines announced it will start charging an extra $39 for “More Room” seats, which ensure an empty middle seat, starting with flights on Friday. Each flight will offer 18 “More Room” seats, the company said.

Also effective Friday, Frontier is requiring passengers wear face coverings that cover a travelers nose and mouth while at the airline’s ticket counters, gate areas and on planes.

“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 CEO Barry Biffle said in a news release.

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at [email protected].

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