United Airlines: Middle seat blocking a 'PR strategy...not a safety strategy'

United Airlines chief communications officer Josh Earnest called the blocking of middle seats to contain the spread of COVID-19 a "PR strategy...not a safety strategy" (CNBC/Travel Pulse, 01-Jul-2020). He noted it is not possible for passengers to maintain six feet of social distancing when onboard aircraft, explaining: "If you're sitting in the aisle, and the middle seat is empty, the person across the aisle is within six feet from you, the person at the window is within six feet of you, the people in the row in front of you are within six feet of you, the people in the row behind you are within six feet of you".