Delta will begin allowing more flight passengers in October

Delta Air Lines said Thursday it will continue blocking middle seats through at least Jan. 6, covering the key holiday season, but will raise the cap on the number of passengers on its flights in October.

Delta had previously said it would block middle seats and limit overall seating capacity at 60 percent on each flight through September.

But during the month of October, Delta will start selling up to 75 percent of seats in the main cabin. It will review the policy again before Oct. 31.

Among other large US carriers, Southwest Airlines is blocking middle seats through October, while American Airlines and United Airlines have all of their seats up for sale but are letting passengers know ahead of time if their flights will be full.

Overall travel demand remains depressed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Atlanta-based Delta said it is also extending a waiver on change fees for new flights purchased through Sept. 30.