Delta Air Lines Is Blocking Off Rows for Families Now

The airline is using a dynamic seat-map algorithm to place groups of three or more together.

Editor's Note: We know COVID-19 is continuing to impact your travel plans. Should you travel now, be sure to familiarize yourself with the CDC's latest guidance on domestic and international travel as well as local requirements, protocols, and restrictions for both your destination upon your arrival and your home city upon your return. Be safe out there.

If you've ever traveled with a group of people and, more specifically, little ones, you know how important it can be to keep your group together. Delta Air Lines isn't afraid to make seat adjustments when needed. In 2020, the airline blocked middle seat use to honor social distancing, and now the airline is blocking off whole rows to allow families and groups to travel together.

The airline is blocking a handful of rows in the main economy cabin for those traveling as a group. A Delta spokesperson confirmed to The Points Guy that the "dynamic seat-map algorithm" depends on the aircraft, route, and other factors. For the time being, for groups of people on the same reservation, three or more grouped seats will be available for selection and will not be assignable for solo travelers.

The dynamic seat-map algorithm uses historical booking and seat assignment data to piece together how many rows to hold back on a flight. The number of seats set aside for groups can change based on the flight. "For instance, flights between New York and Fort Lauderdale—a leisure-heavy route—shows that the airline is holding back five rows," as reported by The Points Guy. But for shorter flights, the airline will only reserve two rows.

There's no definitive "rule" as to how many seats will be reserved on a given flight. Delta is only blocking the last few rows on any given plane right now, though that could change over time.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Janae Price is a News Staff Writer at Thrillist. She's a native New Yorker and loves all things cheese, K-pop, and culture. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @janae_larie.