Fauci, CDC chief raise concerns about full American flights

Airlines struggle to maintain business amid pandemic

The government’s top experts in infectious diseases on Tuesday criticized American Airlines’ decision to pack flights full while the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow across much of the United States.

“Obviously that is something that is of concern. I’m not sure what went into that decision making,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told a Senate panel. “I think in the confines of an airplane that becomes even more problematic.”

Several U.S. airlines say they are limiting capacity on planes to between 60% and 67% of all seats. However, United Airlines never promised to leave seats empty, and American said last week that starting Wednesday it would drop its effort to keep half of all middle seats empty.

“When they announced that the other day, obviously there was substantial disappointment,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said

American was sending the wrong message to the public.

American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said the airline has “multiple layers of protection in place for those who fly with us, including required face coverings, enhanced cleaning procedures, and a preflight COVID-19 symptom checklist.” He said American was also giving customers the option of changing their ticket if their flight might be full.

Airlines are desperate to increase revenue as they try to survive a plunge in air travel that reached 95% during April.