How Coronavirus Will Forever Change Airlines and the Way We Fly

How Coronavirus Will Forever Change Airlines and the Way We Fly

Higher fares, fewer routes, pre-flight health checks and less free food: The coronavirus pandemic is ushering in a new era of air travel.. Budget carrier EasyJet Plc is among those planning to keep middle seats empty, at least initially, to reassure customers about personal spacing.. Even before the virus struck, carriers there typically made only $3 of profit from each customer, according to IATA.. Cheap flights can be found for now as airlines compete for a handful of passengers, while inklings of a recovery show traffic on China's busiest routes is up at least 7% from February lows.. IATA's chief executive, Alexandre de Juniac, said the wearing of face masks might reassure passengers , but keeping middle seats empty would be challenging and reduce maximum seat capacity to below break-even levels.. The essential nature of air travel - it underpins trade, diplomacy, business and tourism - is forcing governments the world over to prop up carriers.. Late Monday in the U.S., the Treasury Department disbursed its first round of payroll assistance to airlines .. While airlines may have to cut prices initially to woo passengers back, hygiene concerns will gradually fade away,