Delta Air Lines flyers can bid farewell to full access to armrests. Starting May 1, seats for the whole plane will be on sale, which includes the middle seat.

The airline started blocking middle seat tickets in April 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, as a form of social distancing. With more Americans getting vaccinated and wanting to travel, having an empty seat is no longer a luxury.

"As vaccinations become more widespread, consumer demand and behaviors show us that confidence in travel is on the rise and customers are ready to reclaim their lives," Delta said Wednesday in a statement.

It is believed that 65% of the pre-pandemic passenger base will have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by this May 1, CNN reported.

Other airlines like Southwest, JetBlue and Alaska have already opened their middle seats back up, making Delta the last holdout.

The Atlanta-based airline also announced that those who have bought tickets this year or those who have tickets that are valid until the end of 2021, will be extended until the end of 2022. Snacks will also be reintroduced starting April 14, as well as hot meals being reintroduced in June.

Such changes from Delta and other airlines likely mean that travelers can expect rising prices for domestic flights.

“While discounts can still be found, they’re no longer falling into consumers’ laps,” JP Morgan airline analyst Jamie Baker told CNBC.

“Discounted fares increasingly require a hunt, and for many consumers that have been locked up for a year, they’re probably not up to the effort," Baker said.

Delta Air Lines has avoided layoffs so far, but could begin furloughs next month if no agreement is reached with the pilots union
Delta Air Lines has avoided layoffs so far, but could begin furloughs next month if no agreement is reached with the pilots union AFP / Robyn Beck
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