Calls to boycott American Airlines grow after carrier says it will start flying at full capacity despite COVID-19 surge
As publications started to report that American Airlines will start to book flights to "full capacity" starting July 1 amid a still roaring Covid-19 pandemic, many took to Twitter to tear down the airlines and called them out on their lack of concern when it came to people's health and lives. WSVN News reported that the airlines will end promoting social distancing protocols on its flights even as reports claim that the US is setting records for new cases of the virus in many states.
In order to ease a bit of the expected backlash, it was also reported that the airline "will continue to notify customers if their flight is likely to be full, and let them change flights at no extra cost. The airline said it will also let passengers change seats on the plane if there is room and if they stay in the same cabin." Many took to Twitter to boycott the airline, asking people to not fly and think of their lives first — and rightly so.
"American Airlines is a great example of how companies actually don't give a rat's ass about you and don't care to change as long as the check clears," tweeted one user with another one writing, "Well American Airline you just lost my business... Covid-19 is spiking all across the south and you are no longer concearned about passenger health & safety... good luck with that."
The news reports also said that in April, the airline had "limited bookings" at 85% "leaving about half the middle seats open," in order to abide by social distancing protocols. Now, starting July 1, even that is not going to be the case, as the airline plans to book at full capacity. "#DonaldTrump I am not surprised. And that is why I would never use them. Time to Boycott. #BoycottAmericanAirlines. It's time. No more bailout, bankruptcy instead if you can't properly run your business.#AmericanAirlines #americanair," wrote one frustrated user with many adding their similar sentiments.
"Unbelievable. BOYCOTT American Airlines. Idiots!! They're going to start packing people like sardines. People who fly AA in full planes = idiots too," wrote another user. "Not the only one rethinking my @AmericanAir flying considering their absolute disregard for my and their crew’s health," read another tweet.
Some took humor and sarcasm to get the airline to change their course, "LOL @ American Airlines booking full flights starting July 1. Like where TF people going to fly? We are about to close down again & other countries are banning Americans bc we can’t follow the gawd damn rules," with another user adding, "Cruise lines: 'Man, that coronavirus thing really kicked the shit out of us.' American Airlines: 'Oh yeah? Hold my crack pipe and watch this.'"
The New York Post reported that the airline said the following in a statement, "As more people continue to travel, customers may notice that flights are booked to capacity starting July 1. American will continue to notify customers and allow them to move to more open flights when available, all without incurring any cost." It further reported that the statement revealed the airline will "survey" passengers preflight "if they have been free of coronavirus symptoms for the past 14 days." But, the aspect of the flights being books to full capacity didn't sit well with many as they call it a "disregard to the health of their citizens." "To capacity, huh?? Sounds like @AmericanAir isn’t concerned about customer safety, just the bottom line. #BoycottAmericanAirlines #BoycottUnited," wrote a user.