ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines is temporarily changing the way passengers board its planes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Travelers whose seats are in the last row will board first. The process will make its way row by row to the front, with those passengers boarding last.

Passengers will have to wait for their row number to be called.

The idea of the change is that it means people will interact less while getting to their seat.

Customers in first or business class can still board whenever they want. They are being encouraged to wait for their row to be called.

There will still be a pre-boarding process for those who need extra time or assistance.

Delta says the changes will stay in place until at least May 31. 

The airline says it has taken other steps in an effort to meet customer and employee needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including blocking off middle seats on its planes to meet social distancing guidelines, providing face masks to all employees and waiving change fees for trips through May 31.