Flying in America Is More Comfortable Because of the Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) -- While the novel coronavirus has killed thousands and roiled economies, there’s been an unlikely upside for air travel in the U.S.

© Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 01: A plane sits on the tarmac at a South Carolina airport on March 01, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. As concerns grow about the spread of the Coronavirus, many travelers are altering their plans which has affected companies in the travel industry. The NYSE Arca Airline Index, which tracks airlines in North America and Latin America, was down 20 percent last week with American Airlines shares falling 7.7 percent. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Passengers flying in America now have more cabin space as airlines are deploying widebody aircraft domestically because demand for international routes has slumped, according to OAG Aviation Worldwide.

“Such short-term fleet changes create great opportunities for the regular domestic road warrior suddenly faced with a deeper seat, more leg room and more space,” OAG analyst John Grant wrote in a report. “The chances of grabbing a lie-flat seat for a three-hour flight have increased significantly.”

For example, United Airlines Holdings Inc. will be deploying an extra 780 domestic wide-bodied services in March, Grant said.

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