American returns to TCI July 22; review gives airline ‘thumbs down’ on capacity protocols

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – July 17, 2020 — Flights returning to Turks and Caicos on July 22 are far from empty and TCI’s longest running airline partner, American Airlines will touch down with one plane on that reopening date and a worrisome review in this Covid-19 era.

In results which tracked seven airlines’ policies and practices up to July 3, American Airlines comes in at the bottom of the stack with an overall ‘D’ Grade. 

While the grade on its flexibility policies were average, American rated miserably on health protocols, according to the report published on Wednesday July 15 by the Mooresville Tribune.

American Airlines, is criticised by those participating in the survey, for reverting to packing its planes instead of sticking to more considerate capacity policies to ensure social distancing on flights.

In a June 26 statement, American Airlines informed, “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. If space is available once boarding is complete — taking into consideration any aircraft weight or balance restrictions — customers may move to another seat within their ticketed cabin subject to availability.”

American Airlines did not fare well in any of the categories related to passenger spacing on its flights, which according the Centers for Disease Control is more important than mask-wearing or pre-screening.

It was a failing grade of ‘F” for American when blocked seats, capped flight capacity, improved boarding procedures and passenger screening to identify ‘sick’ travelers were all weighed.

American also rated very low when it came to communication of their policies and customer service.

Travellers on American are encouraged to wear masks throughout their travels; masks are mandatory on AA flights and pre-screening includes a question on whether or not the passenger has had Covid-19 in the past 14 days.

American is constantly cleaning, the statement says and that includes their airport stations and their planes.

“American disinfects every aircraft, including hand-cleaning seat buckles, seats, tray tables and other surfaces. The airline also applies an electrostatic spray inside the aircraft every seven days which kills 99.9999% of viruses and bacteria within 10 minutes.”

The saying, ‘pent up demand’ appears to be highly applicable to Turks and Caicos. American Airlines resumes with 17 flights originating in Miami, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.

There will be 10 flights from the Miami International Airport and seven from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in the final week of July.

In August, American Airlines is scheduled to run 62 flights into Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.