Travelers say recent flights were packed, raising concerns about COVID-19 spread

Airlines for America, an industry trade organization representing the leading U.S. airlines, claims the majority of flights are sitting half empty with less than 10% of flights at 70% capacity or more.

News 12 Staff

Jun 17, 2020, 9:03 PM

Updated 1,410 days ago

Share:

Some air travelers say they there wasn’t much social distancing happening on recent flights they took. 
Nicholas Giglio, from Long Island, shared photos with News 12 showing what appears to be a packed American Airlines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Miami.
"I’m concerned having a total stranger with his bare arms rubbing up against me. That raises a concern to me," he said.
Nicholas Estavillo, a Haverstraw native, returned Wednesday from Charlotte, North Carolina, on an American Airlines flight that he says was packed.
Airlines for America, an industry trade organization representing the leading U.S. airlines, claims the majority of flights are sitting half empty with less than 10% of flights at 70% capacity or more.
The problem, according to the International Air Transportation Association, is airlines only break even when flights are 75% full. It goes on to say, "With fewer seats to sell, unit costs would rise sharply...between 43% and 54% just to break even." 
Airlines are also using less planes, grounding much of their fleets because of the significant reduction in people traveling.
Estavillo says a flight to Charlotte usually costs him $175. His most recent flight was $375.
American Airlines told News 12 in a statement:
"We continue to limit the number of passengers on each flight. As we stated back in March, it is the equivalent of 50% of middle seats in the main cabin. We have never said we are keeping all standard middle seats empty."
The spokesperson went on to say the Miami flight "went out with 41 empty seats in the main cabin; the aircraft only has 52 middle seats."
 


More from News 12
1:46
Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

1:53
Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

0:56
Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

1:37
Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

1:54
Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:56
DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

0:26
Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:50
Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

1:33
Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

1:20
Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

1:56
EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

0:22
Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

0:29
Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

1:45
Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend

Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend