Post updated August 5:

While health and government officials around the world continue to urge people to practice physical distancing, we know it can be challenging maintaining personal space on an aircraft. To help our guests, we’re taking additional precautions to help you create extra space on board, including:

• Through July 31, 2020 and beyond, we’re limiting the number of guests on our flights and blocking select seats. Families or large groups may request to sit together. Learn more here.
• Families or couples wanting to sit together can make the request with reservations in advance or at the airport on the day of travel.
• There can be limited occasions where extra space cannot be guaranteed due to unforeseen changes such as reaccommodating guests from a previously canceled flight.
• If you’re uncomfortable with the distance between you and others on your day of flight, please speak with a customer service agent about your options.

While this is a stressful time, it is important to remain calm and cooperate with airline staff. In a case where relocation may not be possible (due in part to aircraft weight and balance concerns), taking personal hygiene steps is also another way to help reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

Here are some other ways to ensure you’re keeping a safe distance when it comes to onboard service, crew interaction, boarding and more:

Before your flight

• • Check or change your seat assignment through the Alaska Airlines app or online. Note: If you purchased a Saver fare, you may need to wait until your departure date to request a seat change.
  • If we are unable to properly distance our guests on the aircraft, we will allow you to cancel or rebook your travel as part of our existing flexible travel options.

At the airport – mind your wingspan!

We’re installing social distancing decals to remind people to ‘Mind Your Wingspan,’ at each one of our airports where we fly. The stickers, spanning 6 feet apart, can be found at our ticketing counters, baggage drops, customer service centers and gate areas. The Alaska branded stickers will be deployed systemwide over the coming weeks.

• • Ask a check-in or gate agent for the opportunity to move your seat. Our employees will make sure you are seated with as much distance as the flight allows. Note: If you purchased a Saver fare, you will be able to request a new seat when you arrive at the gate.
  • On your way from the gate to the aircraft, we are doing our best to space out the boarding groups to limit crowding in the jetway.

Other safety measures to expect on board:

• • To align with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and to keep our guests and employees safe, masks will be mandatory for all our guests. Additionally, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees who cannot maintain six feet of physical distance during interactions with guests or co-workers are required to wear masks as of May 4. This includes pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents.
  • Starting August 7, all Alaska passengers will be required to wear a cloth mask or face covering over their nose and mouth (except for children under the age of two) – with no exceptions. Cloth masks or face coverings will be required on all its flights, at ticket counters, throughout gate areas and any other location where Alaska conducts business.
  • Guests will be expected to bring their own mask and will be required to wear it throughout the airport and flight experience. Additional supplies will be available for those who forget their face masks. Specific details about the face mask requirements will be shared with guests in pre-trip communications before their date of travel. The temporary policy will be reevaluated periodically as guidance evolves.
  • We’ve updated our onboard service to limit the interaction between our flight crews and guests. Learn more.
  • We’ve removed all seatback contents, except for the safety card to limit the spread of germs.
  • We’ve enhanced our aircraft cleaning procedures between flights. Watch video.
  • We’ve suspended our warm towel service in First Class.
  • We’ve discontinued onboard sorting of recycling items to reduce touching guest-handled materials.
  • We’ll continue to collect and recycle materials on Horizon Air’s simplified service of water.
  • We’ve removed inflight entertainment tablets to make room for additional trash carts (except on flights to Hawaii and Florida).

Related:

• Frequently asked questions about face masks & physical distancing
• Make your own no-sew mask in 6 easy steps
• Unpacking Alaska Airlines Next-Level Care