TSA Checkpoint traffic (National)

An important milestone was hit last week for TSA traffic. For the first time since March, on October 18th, more than one million passengers travelled in a single day. Daily average traffic continues to climb, up 48k over the last two weeks. Average passenger throughput is down 63% over last year.

FAA Traffic (Regional)

FAA traffic out of ATL is down 3% vs last month and down 39% of what it was last year. A contributing factor for higher air traffic vs passenger traffic is that one of Delta’s hubs is out of ATL. Since Delta has continued to fly their planes at only 60% capacity, they must fly more planes to meet customer demand.

Delta

Delta reported a net loss of 5.4 million this quarter, but they were able to reduce their cash burn to 18 Million vs last quarters 27 Million. They expect break even revenue to return in spring of 2021, and are thankful for the increase in demand near the end of the summer.

In the News

Delta has banned 460 anti-maskers

Pete Muntean

Washington (CNN Business)In a new memo, Delta Air Lines says it has banned more than 400 people from flying for not following the airline’s mask policy.

“As of this week, we’ve added 460 people to our no-fly list for refusing to comply with our mask requirement,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a message to employees.

Which U.S. Airlines Are Still Blocking Middle Seats?

Michelle Baran

Alaska Airlines: Alaska is blocking middle seats and limiting the number of passengers on flights through January 6, 2021. In the case of families traveling together, middle seats can be used. The carrier states that if extra space cannot be guaranteed (for instance on a flight that is accommodating passengers from a canceled flight), fliers can speak with a customer service agent about options for getting onto a less crowded flight.

Delta Air Lines: Delta is blocking middle seat selection through January 6, 2021. For parties of one or two people, middle seats will be blocked entirely to others. For parties of three or more, middle seats will appear as available for booking so that families and travel companions can sit together.

Hawaiian Airlines: Hawaiian is blocking middle seats, too, and has not put an end date on its policy. The airline said that families and guests traveling together should speak with airport or gate agents.   

Southwest Airlines: Through November 30, Southwest is allowing for space between passengers. The carrier does not assign seats and has an open-seating policy, so customers flying together can sit together and those who aren’t can leave seats open between them with flights being limited in capacity until the end of November. After November 30, Southwest said it will make it easier for customers booked on fuller flights to rebook to another flight, if the customer chooses—but the airline did not specify exactly how it would be easier. (Southwest, like most other major carriers now, already does not charge a change fee.)