'It's not practical': Qantas says no to leaving middle seats on planes empty

Qantas is set to provide passengers face masks on all flights, but won't follow other airlines in leaving empty seats between passengers.

The Australian airline may also ask travellers to limit how much they move around in the cabin and can use staggered boarding and disembarkation solutions to reduce queuing within its new Fly Well programme made to reduce the threat of Covid-19 transmission.

The airline will not make wearing face masks mandatory nor does it keep middle seats vacant for social distancing purposes.

“Social distancing on an aircraft isn’t practical just how it is on the ground.

Dr Ian Hosegood, Qantas Group Medical Director

According to Qantas leader Alan Joyce, social distancing on an aircraft isn't practical.

"Taking the center seat out only offers you a 60-centimetre gap between passengers," explained Joyce at a media briefing on Monday, May 18. He said that to attain recommended social distancing measures in place on the floor, each jet would only be able to accommodate a small number of passengers. This would mean "airfares would be eight or nine times a lot more than they are today", said Joyce.

“Social distancing on an aircraft isn’t practical just how it is on the ground, and given the reduced transmission risk up to speed, we don’t believe it’s necessary in order to be safe," added Dr Ian Hosegood, Qantas group medical director.

The airline announced its new Fly Well programme will be introduced on all Qantas flights by Friday, June 12. Pre-flight measures include contactless check-in and bag drop, hand sanitising stations at all departure gates and increased disinfection and physical distancing at all Qantas Lounges.

Up to speed, Qantas strongly recommends passengers wear face masks. Crew will also distribute sanitising wipes to passengers for cleaning seat belts, trays and armrests. Once in the air, travellers are asked to limit the quantity of times they get up from their seat and Qantas' in-flight catering service will be reduced.

In-air social distancing increase flight prices

Several other airlines have said they will leave the center seat empty on flights to permit social distancing in the air.

Delta plans to introduce additional flights so that you can allow for on-board social distancing, Reuters reported on Tuesday, May 19.

Emirates and Eithad are set to hire social distancing on flights where possible and also have cancelled online check-in options that give travellers the chance to select their own seat. This enables the airlines to determine where persons will sit for best social-distancing practice.

Joyce also spoke of the monetary challenge facing aviation and tourism and advised that low prices will be had a need to reinvigorate the industry, a thing that will not be possible if social distancing is necessary on flights.

The International Air Transport Association has said that airlines will not be able to make money if indeed they limit airplanes to two-thirds of their normal capacity, unless they drastically increased airfares.