CDC chief blasts American Airlines for not blocking seats: 'We don't think it's the right message'

American Airlines came under fire at a Senate hearing Tuesday for its decision to end the social distancing practice of blocking seats beginning Wednesday.

Health officials expressed frustration with the Dallas-based carrier's move, which was announced last week, when Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., asked why the government has not issued guidelines prohibiting social-distancing violations on flights.

“Why haven’t we stopped that type of activity in both the airlines and bus companies that is unhealthy?” Sanders asked.

“It’s a critical area,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. "When they announced that the other day, obviously there was substantial disappointment with American Airlines.”

Redfield said the CDC was reviewing American Airlines' policy and added, “We don’t think it’s the right message."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health, said at the hearing that the lack of social distancing on planes is worrisome.

American plans to begin selling middle seats again. United, Spirit and Allegiant already do.
American plans to begin selling middle seats again. United, Spirit and Allegiant already do.

"Obviously that is something that is of concern,” Fauci said. “I would hope that there would be something to mitigate against that.”

Fauci said that, in the confines of airplanes, potential coronavirus spread “becomes even more problematic.”

American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein did not address health officials' concerns when asked for a statement, instead reiterating the airline's position that other health and safety protocols already in place protect passengers.

"We are unwavering in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers and team members,'' the statement said. "We have multiple layers of protection in place for those who fly with us, including (requiring) face coverings, enhanced cleaning procedures, and a pre-flight COVID-19 symptom checklist – and we’re providing additional flexibility for customers to change their travel plans, as well. We know our customers are placing their trust in us to make every aspect of their journey safe, and we are committed to doing just that.''

American is far from alone in selling as many seats as they can fill on flights. United Airlines and budget carriers Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air aren't blocking any seats, for example.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said publicly that keeping people 6 feet apart isn't possible on planes, and the head of the airline industry trade group Airlines for America reiterated that Tuesday.

"You can't employ (social) distancing on an airline like you can in a grocery store,'' Nicholas Calio said on a call with reporters about the safety measures airlines, airports and the Transportation Security Administration are taking ahead of the long July 4th holiday weekend. "Frankly, I'd rather be on an airplane than in the grocery store.''

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CDC chief slams American Airlines for selling all seats amid pandemic