"Southwest Airlines hopes their planes will be a little more full starting December 1. That's when the Dallas-based carrier will resume filling the middle seat. Southwest doesn't assign seats but had been underselling the cabin in order to free up the middle seat to make travelers feel safer during the pandemic.
The airline defended its decision in a statement, citing several studies it said shows the risk of getting coronavirus on an airplane is extremely rare when everyone wears a mask. The International Air Transport Association found 44 cases of COVID-19 transmission associated with plane travel, with most recorded before airlines adopted enhanced cleaning procedures and mask requirements, according to a news release."
nbcnewyork.com/news/business/southwest-airlines-to-fill-middle-seats-starting-dec-1/2684214/