A colleague of mine recently shared she had to wipe tears off her face as she retrieved her passport from her safe. For so many of us, travel is an essential part of our lives, and the inability to do so adds to the many hardships we are going thru right now. And in this spirit, I want to share with you international places where you can travel right now! As a professional travel advisor, I am here to help you navigate the procedures and rules surrounding COVID-19. There are some inconveniences while traveling, but if you are like me, it’s a small price to pay to be able to explore the world.

Of the open locations, I am to travel to Tanzania and Mexico this November.

Here is a short alphabetical list of the international destinations that are available to American citizens, and following are some other details. As always, this can change an hour after I publish this blog, but here is where we are for now! Here I will provide details for the top destinations I think my clients will choose, if you would like further information about any of these destinations, please contact us!

• Bahamas

• Belize

• Bermuda

• Caribbean islands (Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Barth’s, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands)

• Croatia

• Dubai

• Eastern Europe (Albania, Belarus, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine)

• Egypt

• French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea)

• Lebanon

• Maldives

• Mexico

• Sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Rwanda, Tanzania)

• Turkey.

Bahamas (there is a partial opening)

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• The Bahamas, which initially opened to yachts and private aircraft on June 15 and commercial flights on July 1, has now banned commercial flights from the U.S. According to the prime minister, private aircraft and yachts are still permitted.

• Travelers must apply for an electronic health visa no less than 72 hours prior to departure; this includes providing proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 10 days of your travel date (children under 10 are exempt). There will be temperature screenings for incoming travelers; those showing symptoms may be transferred to an on-site quarantine area for further evaluation.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 331 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory.

• Masks are required in all public places, and physical distancing recommended.

• The airport is assigning flights to every other gate.

• There is a curfew in effect on Grand Bahama from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and on other islands from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Travelers can still move within their hotel property during those hours.)

Good To Know:

• Hotels and rental properties are allowed to open with health protocols in place, including employee temperature checks and limited capacity in elevators.

• Hotels, restaurants, and other tourism businesses can apply for “Clean & Pristine” certification; each business must display its own specific protocols. Restaurants are open (except on Arawak Cay and Potter’s Cay) with limited capacity and physical distancing, with disposable or chalkboard menus. Staff must wear masks, and buffets are not permitted. On Grand Bahama, only outdoor dining and take-out are allowed.

• Taxis/car services, ferries, and other vessels are limited to 50% capacity; all car occupants must wear masks and passengers may not sit in the front seat.

• Beach chairs must be set up with at least six feet between families; no gatherings of more than five people are allowed. Public and private beaches and parks on Grand Bahama, New Providence, Paradise Island, Rose Island, Athol Island, and surrounding cays are closed.

• Tours are operating with limited guests and duration; personal snorkeling gear and the like should be used whenever possible.

• Shoppers can not touch items unless they intend to purchase them.

Belize

Getting There:

• Belize’s international airport reopens on August 15. 

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Visitors must complete a form on the Belize Health app within 72 hours of boarding their flight; those who arrive with negative results from a PCR test taken within the same time window will be eligible for fast-track entry. Travelers from high-risk countries (including the U.S.) who do not come with negative test results will be tested on arrival—and quarantined, should they test positive—at a cost of about $50. Results are expected in 15 to 30 minutes. 

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 9 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• All arriving passengers will have to walk through thermal scanners at the airport. 

• Everyone must wear masks in public places, including the airport. 

Good To Know:

• Initially, only those hotels that have earned the country’s Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition will open; restaurants and tour operators must follow these guidelines as well, which include social distancing, enhanced cleaning, and contactless service. In order to open, hotels must also provide all services to guests (transportation, a restaurant, a pool or beach access, and touring options) in order to limit interaction with local communities. 

• Private helicopter transfers are available between the country’s inland jungle resorts and beachside properties.

• Rental cars are not available for international visitors. 

• Archaeological sites and national parks will have capacity restrictions, with tours by appointment. 

• Hotel spas are allowed to open, but high-contact treatments involving the face are discouraged. 

• A yacht charter is a relatively safe, sanitized, and socially distanced way to relax and enjoy the Caribbean Sea that flows around Belize. Some companies we are spreading 14 days between charters.

Bermuda

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Bermuda opened its borders on July 1; flights from the U.S. started on July 6. 

• Visitors aged 10 and up who are coming from a country with community transmission of COVID-19—including the U.S.—must get a RT-PCR COVID-19 test no more than five days prior to departure, ideally within 72 hours. (Those aged 10 to 17 can get a saliva test; those under 10 are exempt.) All arriving passengers will be tested on arrival and must isolate at their hotel until results are returned, usually in 6 to 8 hours. All visitors must be tested again at a pop-up site on Day 3, Day 7, and Day 14 of their trip (as applicable); appointments are encouraged, and you do not have to wait for results. Visitors are asked to log their temperature and any symptoms twice a day. 

Before leaving home, travelers must complete a travel authorization and pay a $75 fee, which includes the cost of in-country testing (children 9 and under will be charged a $30 fee). 

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 6 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• Arriving passengers are asked to wear masks while traveling to their departure airport, practice physical distancing at that airport, and wear masks during flights and on arrival. Checked luggage will be disinfected before pickup at baggage claim.  

• Visitors must wear masks indoors (as well as outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained) and distance in all public places where there can be close contact with others. 

Good To Know:

• Some hotels have reopened, with health protocols in place. 

• Bars and nightclubs are open, with social distancing. 

• Spas are open, subject to public health guidelines. 

• Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed. 

• Scuba diving is permitted. 

• There is a curfew in effect from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

Caribbean islands

Antigua and Barbuda

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Antigua and Barbuda’s border reopened on June 1; flights from the U.S. recommenced on June 4.

• All visitors (including transiting passengers) must bring proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken in the last 7 days. They must complete a health declaration and may be subject to a COVID-19 test at a cost of $100. Those who are tested will have to stay at their hotel and its beach until results are returned in about 96 hours. Visitors must have their own masks to wear in all public areas during their stay.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C advisory.

• 12 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Masks are required in all public areas, and people are urged to maintain 6 feet of social distancing (including on beaches).

• All accommodations (hotels, resorts, rentals, villas) and transportation operators must meet cleaning and safety protocols and be certified by the islands’ health authorities in order to resume service. For example, hotel employees have to live on-property in order to limit their possible exposure to the virus, and taxi drivers will be allowed to wash their hands at hotels between passengers.

Good To Know:

• Travelers arriving at the airport must take approved taxis or vans to their accommodations, where they may be able to arrange for a rental car. Taxis and vans are limited to 50% capacity and must be sanitized after each trip.

• Some restaurants have reopened for dine-in service, but travelers are encouraged to make use only of take-away services.

• Until July 31, there is a curfew in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and beaches are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Aruba

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Residents of the U.S. are allowed into Aruba. 

• Travelers are encouraged to arrive with proof of a negative oral/nasal PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure to Aruba. Those arriving from a number of U.S. states are required to be tested and upload their results at least 12 hours prior to their departure to Aruba. Others may opt instead to be tested at their own expense upon arrival and quarantine in their reserved accommodations for up to 24 hours, until results are returned. Anyone who arrives with negative results will undergo a temperature check and health interview; those showing symptoms will be put in isolation pending test results. Children 14 and under don’t need to be tested or screened.  

• All visitors must fill out an Embarkation/Disembarkation card online, which includes a personal health assessment and the required purchase of Aruba Visitors Insurance, which will cover any COVID-related medical costs up to $75,000; premiums range from about $100 to $600, depending on age and length of stay. (You can purchase another travel medical insurance policy to supplement this, but not replace it.) 

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• 13 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Masks are required on flights to Aruba and in the airport. They are not required while on the island, but visitors are encouraged to keep one handy for times when they can’t socially distance. 

Good To Know:

• Travel businesses—including accommodations, restaurants, food trucks, casinos, stores, transportation companies, spas, and tour operators—must apply for the Aruba Health & Happiness Code certification, which requires an on-site assessment. 

• While many hotels are implementing protocols that include plexiglass barriers and contactless check-in, some have made major investments in electrostatic machines and other technology to sanitize their property. 

• Restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining until 10:00 p.m. Bars, nightclubs, and casinos can stay open until 11:00 p.m.

• Spas have reopened. 

• The Aruba Health app promises less time spent waiting at the airport, quicker results if you’re tested on the island, and listings of Health & Happiness Code-certified businesses. 

Barbados

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Barbados opened its borders on July 12; flights from the U.S. recommenced on July 25. 

• Travelers (aged 6 and over) from high-risk countries, including the U.S., should bring proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their travel to Barbados. Those who don’t will be tested on arrival; you can wait at a designated hotel for results, which are expected within 24 hours. Travelers from high-risk countries may be monitored for symptoms daily and tested again on Day 7. 

• Travelers must submit an Embarkation/Disembarkation Form between 72 and 24 hours prior to travel and will need to show their receipt to Immigration and Customs upon arrival. 

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• 7 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• There will also be health screenings at the airport; masks are required. 

Good To Know:

• Beaches and parks are open. 

• Gatherings of up to 500 people are allowed; social distancing of three feet is recommended.

Dominican Republic

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• The Dominican Republic opened its borders on July 1 with no restrictions. 

  
  

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 18,385 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• It is mandatory to maintain social distancing and wear masks in all public spaces. 

• Punta Cana Airport has installed temperature sensors and boarding-pass readers for direct passenger use, expanded immigration lanes, and reduced bus capacity by 50-60%. Passengers who opt for V.I.P. service will disembark from the plane to a golf cart; capacity has been reduced in the V.I.P. lounge. 

Good To Know:

• Roughly half of the island’s hotels will reopen in July. 

• Restaurants are allowed to reopen.

Jamaica

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• On June 15, Jamaica entered Phase 1 of its reopening, during which tourists must stay in the coastal corridor between Negril and Port Antonio; only businesses that have been cleared may open.

• Before departing the U.S., travelers must complete an online form that asks about your health and in-country contact information. Those who are deemed to be at risk of having COVID-19 will not receive a travel authorization, which will be required to board a flight to Jamaica. Travelers from New York, Florida, Arizona, and Texas will also need to upload proof of a negative PCR test taken within 10 days prior to your arrival in Jamaica.

• Arriving passengers will be screened and have their temperature taken and, if showing symptoms or coming from a high-risk country, will be tested free of charge. Those who are tested must await results at their hotel.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C advisory.

• 93 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Travelers who wish to leave the tourism corridor must be tested for COVID-19.

• All are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

• Through July 31, there is a curfew in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Good To Know:

• All tourism businesses, including hotels, attractions, and transportation companies, must abide by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism.

• Restaurants are open only for take-out and outdoor service.

• Bars are open with protocols in place.

Puerto Rico (partial opening)

Getting There:

• Puerto Rico opened to visitors on July 15; a day later, the local government reversed course and advised that, due to a surge in cases, it was discouraging all but essential travel to the island. 

• Visitors must complete a Travel Declaration Form. If you do not provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours, you will be required to quarantine until you receive negative results from a molecular test taken within 72 hours of your arrival, or one taken on the island. Thermal screenings will also be conducted, and San Juan Airport has enacted a number of sanitization and social-distancing protocols. Anyone showing symptoms will be required to quarantine until they test negative (even if they arrive with results of a test taken in the last 72 hours).

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• 5,717 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Masks and social distancing are required, including at the airport. Masks are also required and passengers may not sit in the front seat in taxis and other shared vehicles. 

• Through July 31, there is a curfew in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Good To Know:

• All tourism businesses, including hotels, must abide by a set of mandatory health and safety guidelines that include temperature checks and cleaning to C.D.C. and E.P.A. standards; businesses can choose to be endorsed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, showing that they meet or exceed these standards.

• Hotel pools and fitness centers are closed; spas are open.

• Restaurants are open at 50% capacity; anyone entering will have their temperature checked and will be disallowed if the reading is over 100.3 degrees. All employees must wear masks, and also gloves when serving guests. Buffets, salad bars, self-serve options, and reusable menus are banned. 

• Non-essential businesses, including theaters, casinos, bars, clubs, are closed. Attractions and tours are also closed. 

• Shopping malls are open with social distancing and no leisure strolling permitted. 

• On Sundays, all businesses (with the exception of pharmacies, supermarkets, gas stations) are closed; restaurants can offer only pickup, delivery, or drive-through services.

• Public beaches and nature reserves are only open for solo sport and exercise from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Marinas are closed.

• Golf courses are open. El Yunque National Forest is partially open with limited capacity and reservations required. 

• Ferry service to Vieques and Culebra is limited to residents.

  
  

St. Barts: Hotels are not open, so here we recommend renting a villa thru Master Travel.

Getting There:

• St. Barts opened to all non-essential travelers on June 22.

• Visitors aged 11 and older must bring proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours prior to their arrival.

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory.

• Visitors staying more than 7 days must be tested again on Day 8, at a cost of €135. Anyone who tests positive will be required to quarantine for 14 days or until they test negative.

• Travelers must also be tested when departing St. Barts, as the connecting airports require proof of negative test results within 72 hours of travel.

• Tradewind Aviation, which operates between San Juan and St. Barts, requires that passengers wear masks and fill out a health questionnaire prior to flying; those who answer “yes” to any question will not be allowed onboard unless they can show a negative test result in the last 2 days.

• All are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks in enclosed public places (some businesses require them, as does the airport).

Good To Know:

• Many hotels will not be reopening until the fall; until then, a private villa may be the best option.

• Restaurants are open with increased distancing; a few are offering take-away service.

• Boutiques are operating as normal.

• Beaches are open with no restrictions; social distancing is encouraged.

St. Lucia

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• St. Lucia opened to U.S. travelers arriving by air on June 4.

• Visitors must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 7 days prior to their travel. Travelers must also complete a Pre-Arrival Registration Form and have confirmed reservations at COVID-certified accommodations; travelers can not stay at multiple accommodations during their trip. The airport is doing temperature checks and luggage sanitization.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 2 new COVID-19 case in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C advisory.

• There is a curfew in effect from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

• Masks are required in all public places, including at hotels.

• The hotels that have been certified to reopen have nurses’ stations and quarantine facilities on site, and are implementing temperature checks of employees daily and of guests at every meal.

Good To Know:

• The hiking paths on the Pitons are open; the mud baths at Sulfur Springs are not.

• Beaches are open. Travelers are encouraged to bring their own snorkeling gear; dive centers remain closed. Hotel staff are ensuring that guests maintain social distancing on their beaches.

• Car-rental agencies are closed, though taxis are available. Helicopter transfers are not operating.

• Spas are closed.

• Some restaurants have reopened, but only for delivery and take-away service.

• Some shops are open, with limited numbers allowed in at once.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ borders are open. Travelers are advised to bring negative COVID-19 antibody results from a test done within 5 days and a negative rapid antigen test or negative PCR result from a test done within 2 days. These travelers will not have to quarantine, but should monitor their temperature for 14 days and report any elevations (or other symptoms) to the local health authority. 

• Those who don’t arrive with the above results will be tested on arrival and must quarantine in their accommodations for 24 hours while awaiting results. 

• Travelers must complete this Pre-Arrival Form before departing for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory.

• 17 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

Turks and Caicos

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Travelers are allowed to enter provided they have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 5 days of travel. Those aged 9 and under are exempt. 

• Prior to travel, visitors must register on the TCI Assured portal, and present the authorization they receive when checking in for their flight. 

• Travelers must have insurance that covers medevac services if they become ill on the islands.  Here is some info!

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• 27 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Masks are required in all public places. 

Good To Know:

• Providenciales Airport’s Fast Track service expedites travelers through customs and immigration.  

• Restaurants are open for take-out service only.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Getting There:

• The U.S.V.I. opened to all international travelers on June 1.

• Travelers aged 15 and older from states with a positivity rate greater than 10% (but not travelers transiting through those states) will need to bring proof of either a negative antigen test taken in the 5 days prior to travel, or a positive antibody test taken within the past four months. (Those who don’t will have to quarantine for 14 days or until they test negative.)

• All visitors must fill out a health screening questionnaire upon arrival and have their temperature taken. Anyone testing 100.4 degrees or higher on two checks taken 10 minutes apart, or who has answered “yes” to any of the screening questions, will be quarantined at their hotel until they have been tested.

• The U.S. State Department does not advise on travel to the U.S.V.I., as they are a territory of the U.S.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C advisory.

• 168 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Travelers are asked to keep masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer with them at all times.

• Masks must be worn on flights, in airports and when entering most businesses, but not in restaurants or on beaches.

• Certain businesses, including some hotels, require temperature checks before entering.

Good To Know:

• All businesses except casinos, gaming facilities, bars, and nightclubs are open.

• Restaurants’ capacity is limited to 50% or 50 people (whichever is lower); they must place tables at least six feet apart and seat no more than six in a party. Counter service is not allowed, and alcohol cannot be sold after 11:00 p.m. Staff must wear masks.

• Taxis and vans are limited to half their normal capacity.

• Beaches are open but social distancing must be maintained, and they are off-limits between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays.

• Gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed. All island-wide festivals for 2020 have been canceled.

Croatia

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• Residents of the U.S. can enter Croatia, provided they have proof of a reservation for accommodations, and ideally proof of a negative result from a PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to their arrival. Those who don’t have such test results must either self-isolate for 14 days or until they have been tested; local tests cost about $230 and return results in 24 to 48 hours. Travelers are also asked to fill out this announcement certificate before entering Croatia.  

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• 1,096 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Masks are mandatory in many businesses and public places.

Mexico

Getting There:

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

• While the land border between the U.S. and Mexico remains closed, flights between the two countries have continued to operate throughout the pandemic (though at much lower frequency). On June 16, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico stated that “now is not the time for tourism.”

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 91,211 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Here is the C.D.C advisory.

• As in the U.S., the caseload of—and the response to—COVID-19 has varied greatly among Mexico’s states. The national government never mandated mask wearing, though several state governments have done so. Mexico City has been the epicenter of the country’s outbreak.

• Travelers arriving by plane may be subject to health screenings and temperature checks; those exhibiting symptoms may be required to quarantine.

Good To Know:

• The government of Baja California Sur (home to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo) has allowed hotels, restaurants, and beaches to open at 25 to 30% capacity. Private activities are operating, including fishing charters in waters that haven’t been fished for months.

• The state of Jalisco (home to Puerto Vallarta) is allowing hotels to operate at 25% capacity; their pools, beach clubs, and restaurants can open, but not gyms or spas. The beaches immediately in front of hotels will be open to guests. Restaurants can operate at 50% capacity. Bars and nightclubs are closed.

• In Nayarit (home to Punta Mita), hotels can operate at 30% capacity, with social distancing in common areas and pools.

• Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Tulum, and Cozumel, has allowed hotels to open at 30% capacity; hotel beaches have opened.

• In Guanajuato, hotels have opened at 40% capacity; masks and social distancing are required. The colonial city of San Miguel de Allende has launched a Health First certification for local businesses.

• Sonora’s governor has imposed stay-at-home orders on the state’s 12 major cities; U.S. citizens are not allowed on the state’s beaches. Other state-by-state restrictions are listed on the U.S. embassy’s website.

• Museums and Mayan ruins throughout the country have not yet reopened.

Tanzania

Getting There:

• Tanzania’s borders are open to all travelers. 

• Passengers have to fill out a Health Surveillance Form and will be subject to a health screening and sanitization on arrival, and possibly a COVID-19 test. 

• Here is the U.S. State Department advisory.

Covid Update & Restrictions:

• 0 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks (as of July 29)

• Tanzania has not published data on COVID-19 cases nationwide since May 8; as a result, Kenya and Zambia have closed their borders with the country, and some safari operators are choosing not to open their lodges and camps in the country. 

• Here is the C.D.C. advisory. 

• Masks are recommended in public; they are required at the airport, where social distancing is also being enacted. 

• Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine unless they can show proof of a negative test. 

• Auric Air, which flies to some of the country’s most remote safari destinations, has enacted a number of safety protocols—including taking passengers’ temperatures prior to boarding.

• Tourism entities must appoint a COVID-19 liaison officer to ensure that protocols are in place and preventative measures taken. 

Good To Know:

• Most restaurants, cafes, and bars in mainland Tanzania remain closed; some are offering take-out service. Zanzibar’s Minister of Tourism reports that all of the island’s tourist hotels, restaurants, and bars are open. 

• There is a ban on public gatherings. 

• The top safari camps and lodges that have opened are implementing a range of strict protocols, including testing or quarantining all staff before coming on duty, taking staff members’ temperature daily and guests’ on arrival, appointing dedicated staff members and guides to serve each group of travelers, and utilizing private safari vehicles or leaving the middle row of seats open.