Manhattan Resident Claims American Airlines Fails Federal Pandemic Mandates
Controversy with American Airlines
Photo:
DANIEL SLIM / AFP / Getty Images
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A passenger resident in Manhattan denounced her surprise when she recently flew from Miami to La Guardia Airport (NYC) and discovered not only that the plane was full, but also that approximately half of the passengers were not wearing face masks despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Angie Wong, 42, told New York Post that the flight of American Airlines 2669 was between 80 and 90% full on Wednesday morning.
He added that she was wearing a surgical mask, gloves and a hoodie, but most were unprotected.
Wong said that social distancing rules were strictly enforced at the Miami airport, but not so on its crowded flight.
As evidence, he shared with the newspaper several photos he took in the cabin, showing some passengers wearing masks and gloves, while others dispensed with the protective measures.
“I asked how this was allowed during the distancing requirements.” In response, they told him that nothing could be done and “they offered me an 800 number to change my reservation,” he said.
“Even the pilot spoke in mid-flight to apologize for the tight conditions,” he continued.
At the gate, he said, An airline representative commented that “if American Airlines sells 150 seats, they will board 150 seats, it is a business.”
“We are all learning to adapt to new social norms, but companies continue to operate in the old paradigm (…) I feel that airlines should consider temporary policies that coincide with current federal mandates for social distancing and wearing masksSaid Wong, a Soho resident mother who has been quarantined in Florida.
In a statement, American Airlines said, “To encourage social distancing, gate agents will reassign seats to create more space between customers. Once on board, as long as there are no weight or balance restrictions on the aircraft, customers can change to another seat inside your cabin with a ticket subject to availability ”.
The airline added that it is currently blocking “50% of the standard average seats” on all its flights. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require passengers to wear masks.
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