This airline will now charge you extra to sit by an empty middle seat

Those who want to guarantee a spot next to an unoccupied middle seat can do so on Frontier Airlines, but they will have to pay a fee to guarantee the social distancing arrangement.

Passengers can now reserve a ‘More Room’ seat assignment with a confirmed empty middle seat next to them to help curb the spread of COVID-19, starting at US$39 (€35.97) per passenger. The bookings can be made on its website, FlyFrontier.com, when booking new tickets, managing bookings or at check-in, subject to availability. Flights departing 8 May through 31 August will have 18 ‘More Room’ seats available, including stretch seats in the first three rows of the aircraft.

The airline is also introducing a mandatory face-covering requirement for all passengers at its ticket counters, gate areas and onboard its aircraft, and will announce at a later date whether the ‘More Room’ program will be extended beyond 31 August. “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,’” said Frontier CEO, Barry Biffle.

In addition to the face-covering requirement, Frontier implemented a program in April that requires passengers to accept a health acknowledgement prior to completing check-in via the company’s website or mobile app. Passengers are required to certify that neither they nor anyone in their household has exhibited Covid-19 related symptoms in the last 14 days, and they must agree to check their temperature before heading to the airport and not travel if they have a fever. They will also have to sanitize their hands before boarding the flight.

Keep up to date with Lonely Planet's latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.

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