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After November 30, we will unblock the middle seat on our flights. This decision was not made lightly, and we'd like to share how we arrived at it. (1/8)
A growing body of data and research supports that face masks and enhanced cleaning, coupled with HEPA filtration, are highly effective measures to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 in air travel: (2/8)
A research bulletin from Harvard’s School of Public Health included a study around masks and ventilation. When all onboard wore masks, infection risk from breathing was reduced to less than 1%. (3/8) https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/09/Face-Mask-Use-in-Air-Travel.pdf
A Department of Defense study concluded that a commercial aircraft’s air system provides more protection than the standards in several key areas of a hospital. (4/8) https://www.ustranscom.mil/cmd/panewsreader.cfm?ID=C0EC1D60-CB57-C6ED-90DEDA305CE7459D&yr=2020
A report from @IATA found that the already-low level of transmissions linked to the travel journey (44 cases out of 1.2 billion air Passengers) became even lower once masks were widely required on board. (5/8) https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-09-08-012/
That’s one case for every 27.3 million flyers; similar to the odds of being struck by lightning. (6/8) https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-09-08-012/
We will continue to take a science-based approach as we evaluate our procedures and policies moving forward and will collaborate with the Stanford University School of Medicine for insights that will help us evolve our policies. (7/8) http://swa.is/stanfordmedical
We’ve highlighted this information, and more, at http://swa.is/research . We’re committed to your well-being and comfort, and we can’t wait to see you. (8/8)
