American Airlines was hit by articles in the New York Times and a tweet by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley recently over their lack of social distancing on flights. American Airlines, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth region was highlighted as refusing to allow an elderly couple to move to an empty emergency exit.
Per the article, a June 30 flight on American from Dallas to Newark included Joy Gonzalez, an aviation engineer based in Seattle. She found herself seated at a window with two older passengers beside her in the middle and aisle seats. In order to gain more social distance, she and the aisle passenger both moved to seats behind them where two rows were empty. But before takeoff, a flight attendant ordered them back to the ticketed seats, telling them they had not paid for those exit row seats, which are more expensive.
A second flight attendant listened to Ms. Gonzalez’s request, consulted with the other attendants and gave her two options: Take your assigned seat or return to the gate and pay for the exit row. As the flight was on the verge of departing, she sat down.
American Airlines and COVID19 Response
The airline did receive more than $5B in federal aid for COVID19 per their own newsroom. The federal aid package included $4.1 billion in direct support and another $1.7 billion as a 1% loan which 75% of could be converted into a grant.
Other Side Dallas will continue to report on other local employers and their actions in light of COVID19.
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