Author: Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say Americans should stay home for the holidays but urges those who travel to take two COVID-19 tests.

If layoffs occur, they would be the first in the nearly 50-year-old company’s history.

Delta’s policy of blocking middle seats will now be in place through March 30. Most airlines are filling their planes or plan to soon.

The airline will start selling beer, wine and food on select flights from Denver as it brings back in-flight service reduced during the pandemic.

The airline said it is taking precautionary measures due to the possibility of post-election protests.

The increase in COVID-19 cases hasn’t led to a decline in holiday travel bookings. Plus, passenger comfort levels increase once they resume flying.

Flights to Chicago O’Hare, which the airline is expanding to because it’s running out of room at crosstown Midway Airport, begin Feb. 14.

Harvard scientists say flying is less risky than grocery shopping or eating out. But an Ireland flight has been linked to 59 COVID-19 cases.

Southwest Airlines will stop blocking middle seats on its flights in December as holiday travel ticks up.