Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Type 9753
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
The passengers were directed to sit in the first 10 rows thereby making social distancing impossible on a mostly empty flight. The Operations Agent could have worked the weight and balance more carefully and allowed the passengers to spread out evenly to provide appropriate social distance.Operations Agents need to be directed to distribute bags and cargo to allow social distancing. Passengers [were] forced into close contact by weight and balance.
Air carrier Captain reported that due to weight and balance needs; the Operations Agent directed passengers on a nearly empty flight to sit close together; violating social distancing requirements. The Captain suggested that weight and balance be reworked to allow appropriate spacing between passengers.