Blocking middle seats on planes reduces virus exposure, study says

A new study says leaving middle seats open could give airline passengers more protection from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kansas State University say the risk of passengers being exposed to the virus from an infected person on the plane could be reduced by 23% to 57% if middle seats are empty, compared with a full flight. The study released Wednesday supports the response of airlines that limited seating early in the pandemic. However, all major U.S. airlines except Delta now sell every seat they can. Delta will stop blocking middle seats on May 1.