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AIRLINE UPDATES: What Does Flying Look Like Post COVID-19?

Already we are seeing new and improved passenger and staff health and wellbeing procedures being put into place, ready for flying in post-COVID-19 times. Karryon is here to give you the information you need, to tell your clients what they need to know for their next flight.

Already we are seeing new and improved passenger and staff health and wellbeing procedures being put into place, ready for flying in post-COVID-19 times. Karryon is here to give you the information you need, to tell your clients what they need to know for their next flight.

Wouldn’t it just be great to have the same passenger and staff health and wellness rules for all airlines?

So with each airline appearing to be doing their own thing health and safety guideline wise, and with regulations changing rapidly, we figured it would be handy to have one place to visit to get the lowdown from each airline.

So we’re here to try and make the whole flying post-COVID-19 experience a little clearer for you.

We will be updating this post as airlines update their wellness policies and schedule updates.

Air New Zealand update on Australia service

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Due to Australian Government restrictions, Air New Zealand has put a hold on further bookings to Australia until 28 August.  

The Australian Government has a cap of 30 passenger arrivals per flight into Sydney and Brisbane in place. International passenger arrivals into Melbourne are not currently permitted to 8 August. 

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Cam Wallace says while the government restrictions are in place until 8 August, the airline is placing a hold on future bookings to help prevent disruptions to customer journeys should these restrictions be extended. 

“We know there are people wanting to head home to Australia at this time and we’ll be ready to fly them as soon as we are able to accommodate more passengers.”  

Cam Wallace

Health & safety onboard Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Bear
Cathay Pacific Bear

Cathay Pacific has released a video detailing its safety measures as part of its Cathay Care commitment in ensuring passenger wellbeing.

The video details a comprehensive list of safeguarding measures from cleanliness to prevention and reassurance at every stage of the journey from check-in to boarding, and the in-cabin experience.  

The new measures include:

  • Counters and common areas equipped with an antimicrobial coating to provide an invisible barrier against viruses and bacteria
  • Health-screening and temperature checks
  • Mandatory face coverings
  • Air-conditioning systems equipped with HEPA filters
  • Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of each aircraft between every service
  • Blocked seating where possible
  • Adjusted meal services

The airline is also rolling out Cathay Care Kits for passengers that contain useful essentials such as face coverings and antiseptic wipes. 

Click here for more information.

All Etihad passengers must pass a COVID-19 test before travel

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wellness-ambassador-etihad

Effective Saturday 1 August, all travellers flying Etihad Airways from around the world to Abu Dhabi, and those transferring via Abu Dhabi onto other flights, will be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to departure.

READ FULL STORY: Testing Negative: All Etihad Passengers Required To Take COVID-19 Test Before Flying

Etihad offers refunds for all cancelled flights purchased in Australia

Image 2 Etihad Airways

The ACCC has welcomed Etihad’s recent decision to offer refunds to all consumers who purchased Etihad tickets in Australia which were then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Etihad has confirmed it will contact consumers who booked directly with the airline, and Australia-based travel agents, to inform them that affected consumers can elect to receive a refund for a cancelled flight, even if they previously accepted a flight credit.

Click here to read the full ACCC release.

Click here for more information.

United Airlines to maximize ventilation system

United Airlines has announced that it will now maximise airflow volume for all mainline aircraft high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems during the entire boarding and deplaning process, helping further reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In combination with the HEPA filters, the air conditioning and pressurization system onboard United’s mainline aircraft recirculates the air every 2-3 minutes and removes 99.97% of particles – including viruses and bacteria during both ground and air operations – making the air onboard a plane significantly cleaner than what people typically experience in restaurants, grocery stores, schools or even some hospitals.

United pilots and ground staff are working to implement this new procedure for mainline aircraft beginning July 27. 

Click here for more information.

Emirates increases Australian services from 1 August

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Emirates has announced additional services for Australian passengers next month, with additional weekly flights from Dubai to Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

From 1 August, services between Sydney and Dubai will increase to four times weekly, while flights to Perth and Brisbane will both increase to twice-weekly services, highlighting Emirates’ commitment to the Australian market and allowing better connectivity for its customers.

By mid-August, Emirates will have increased its network to 63 destinations, facilitating travel between the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific, through a convenient connection in Dubai for customers around the world.

Click here for more information.

Cathay Pacific launches WhatsApp customer support service in Australia

Airline Update

Customers in Australia can now use Cathay Pacific’s verified WhatsApp account as an additional customer service tool for the airline. Available now, the WhatsApp function will allow guests to make new bookings, amend or upgrade existing bookings, seek assistance on baggage queries, redeem Asia Miles and more, all in a single chat. 

The new WhatsApp chat service offers an additional option to the current customer service channels, ensuring customers are able to communicate easily with the airline at their convenience. 

“The addition of the WhatsApp tool will allow us to deliver a seamless and efficient customer service experience here in Australia. We believe the service will make it easier for our customers to manage bookings while providing quick and convenient solutions directly through the messaging app.”

Richard Jones. Regional Head of Marketing and Sales

The feature is available to all customers in Australia seven days a week, 9am – 8pm AEST, excluding public holidays. Customers can use the service by messaging Cathay Pacific’s WhatsApp business number, +852 2747 2747.

Click here for more information.

United LAX-SYD back on from September 2020

Airline

Beginning in September, United will reinstate passenger service between Los Angeles and Sydney.

The flight will depart Los Angeles LAX at 10:55 pm and arrive into SYD 6:55 am the following day. The flights depart on Tue/Thu/Sun.

From Sydney SYD, the flight will depart at 09:30 am on Tue/Thu/Sat and arrive into Los Angeles (LAX) at 06:05 am the same day.

Subject to government approval.

Click here for more information.

Emirates axes ADL

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Emirates has announced that it will be cutting its Adelaide service.

Adelaide has been listed as one of many worldwide destinations dropped for the foreseeable future due to the impacts of COVID-19.

The airline will still be flying in to SYD, BNE, PER and MEL, and will continue serving ADL customers via its codeshare partner, Qantas.

More to follow.

Qatar Airways further enhances onboard safety measures

Airline Update

Qatar Airways has increased its health and safety measures onboard by introducing new personal protective equipment (PPE) for customers and cabin crew. The airline’s additional robust measures include offering face shields and protective kits to all passengers, in addition to a new protective gown for cabin crew.

The disposable face shield will be available in two standard sizes – one for adults and the other for children. The children’s face shields feature the airline’s Oryx Kids Club mascots as part of their design. Passengers travelling from Hamad International Airport (HIA) will receive their face shields at the check-in counters, whereas at other destinations, the face shields will be distributed at the boarding gates.

Onboard, all Qatar Airways passengers will be provided with a complimentary protective kit. Inside a ziplock pouch, they will find a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. Business Class customers will also be offered an additional 75ml sanitiser gel tube.

Find out more: www.qatarairways.com/en/safety-measures

The ANA care promise

Flight

As the only airline currently operating a three times weekly direct flight Sydney – Tokyo service, ANA is committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of all passengers by providing customers with clean and hygienic environments in airports, lounges, and onboard its aircraft.

ANA’s promise to its customers is to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience with an emphasis on safety and peace of mind, synonymous with flying ANA.

Click here for more information.

American Airlines cuts SYD & AKL until March 2021

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American Airlines has announced adjustments to its long-haul international schedule for winter 2020 through summer 2021 which includes an extended delay for the restart of its Sydney and Auckland routes.

“COVID-19 has forced us to reevaluate our network,” said American’s Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja.

“American will have a significantly smaller international network in the year ahead, but we are using this opportunity to hit reset and create a network using the strength of our strategic hubs that we can build and grow upon and be profitable on in this new environment.”

Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Revenue Officer

American expects its Summer 2021 long-haul international capacity will be down 25% compared to 2019 and sees partnerships as “as the foundation of future international growth.”

Click here for more information.

Air New Zealand update on Melbourne service

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Due to Australian Government restrictions Air New Zealand will not operate passenger services from Auckland to Melbourne from 1 July to 14 July.

The airline received a directive late last night that no international passengers are eligible to arrive into Melbourne for the next two weeks in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19 within the local community. 

The airline was due to operate two return services to Melbourne today. NZ123 from Auckland to Melbourne is operating as a cargo only flight, with NZ124 operating with inbound passengers to Auckland. NZ127 and NZ128 today will be cancelled. Melbourne to Auckland passenger services will continue to operate as demand requires.

The airline’s contact centre is experiencing high call volumes and all customers are kindly asked to defer non-urgent calls.

Click here for more information.

Qantas to start reopening domestic lounges from 1 July

Airline Qantas

Qantas has announced it will reopen a number of its domestic and regional lounges around the country following the easing of travel and venue capacity restrictions.

With the relaxing of state-based restrictions and an increase in domestic capacity, Qantas is able to begin a phased reopening of those lounge facilities which support the current domestic network, starting with 11 of its 35 Australian domestic lounges from 1 July.

As part of the Qantas Group’s ‘Fly Well’ program, a number of measures will be put in place across the lounge network to promote the health and wellbeing of passengers and staff.

Click here for more information.

REX Board has approved plans for domestic operations

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Following the announcement to the ASX on 13 May 2020 of the Regional Express Group’s intentions to explore the feasibility of commencing domestic operations in Australia, Regional Express (Rex) has been engaged in confidential exploratory discussions with various parties to assess the availability of funding for starting up domestic operations.

The Rex Board has now formed the view that Rex could successfully embark on domestic operations. Consequently, the Board has approved an initiative to raise a minimum of AUD$30 Million, which the Board now believes will be all that is needed for the launch of limited domestic operations.

Discussions with interested parties including lessors and private equity funds have not been finalised and the Board will reconvene within three weeks to decide on the structure of the fund raising and the maximum amount that will be raised. Where necessary, the Board will seek shareholder approval for the fund raising. 

Due to the strong interest shown by various external parties to participate in the fund raising, including lessors willing to provide AUD$30 Million for 15 of Rex’s fleet of 60 unencumbered Saab 340 aircraft, the Board has now formed the view that funding will be forthcoming for the minimum target sought. Consequently the Board has authorised management to commence preparations in earnest for the operation of an initial fleet of five to ten narrow- body jet aircraft to be based out of Sydney and/or Melbourne to service the golden triangle (Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane). The Board has confirmed 1 March 2021 as the targeted start date for domestic operations, subject to fund availability and regulatory approval. 

Click here for more information.

Etihad Airways Launch Online COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool For Travellers

Etihad-Self-Assessment

Etihad Airways has partnered with Austrian-based healthcare technology company Medicus AI to launch an online COVID-19 risk-assessment tool that aims to empower guests to make informed decisions before travelling.

Etihad says the risk-assessment tool will guide their passengers in evaluating the probability of having contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus by responding to a set of 22 questions before they fly.

The self-administered online assessment, which takes less than five minutes to complete, is based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines that are updated daily.

Find out more here.

Singapore Airlines approved to operate two-way transit lanes

Karry On - Singapore Air New Zealand

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed a limited number of two-way transit channels will begin operation from Tuesday 23 June, allowing SIA and SilkAir customers to book return journeys between approved destinations.

Similar to the one-way transit channels announced a fortnight ago, the two-way transit channel will be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including:

  • Connections must be no longer than 48 hours.
  • Customers can only travel on SIA Group (Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot) flights and cannot connect to other carriers once in Singapore.
  • Customers can only travel between countries on the approved list.
  • Customers must meet all departing and arriving Government requirements and restrictions.

A total of 14 cities across six countries and territories are on the approved list, including the previously announced Australian cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, as well as New Zealand cities, Auckland and Christchurch.

READ: Approved: One Way Changi Transit Flights From Australia With Singapore Airlines

“This is another small, and welcome, step in our journey towards recovery.”

Mr. Philip Goh, Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Mr. Philip Goh said the expansion of transit channels to two-way transit between selected points would provide more opportunities for Australians and New Zealanders who need to travel to do so, including those overseas who are returning home.

Click here for the latest flight schedule.

Malaysia Airlines health & safety update

Airline
  • Although in-flight social distancing is not imposed, the existing requirements for passengers to bring and wear their own protective masks before boarding and throughout the duration of the flight (except during meals times)
  • The airline will be temperature checking all customers, sanitising and disinfecting all premises and facilities, enforcing social distancing during queues and protective screen barriers at check-in counters and transfer desks will be installed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
  • While on board, in-flight entertainment will continue to be available. Personal hygiene kits consisting of hand sanitiser and an extra face mask will also be provided to all passengers.
  • All MH aircrafts are cleaned and disinfected before and after every flight, while lavatories will be cleaned during the flight at more frequent intervals.
  • Other in-flight offerings such as reading materials and in-flight duty-free sale are currently suspended as a precautionary measure.
  • All checked-in baggage is also sanitised upon arrival.

Click here for more information.

DL returning to SYD

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Delta Air Lines will be resuming its SYD – LAX operation 3 days per week beginning 4 July. The service will depart Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

This will be a cargo and passenger service and operated on DL’s fully refurbished 777 aircraft.

Click here for more information.

Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways Airlines

“Our in-house teams, including our aviation medical advisor Dr. Rounak Lal, have been working closely with health authorities and other stakeholders to get Fiji Airways Travel Ready. We have reviewed all interaction points across the Fiji Airways Customer Experience, and taken guidance from the World Health Organisation, IATA and ICAO to draw up enhanced safeguards for our guests and staff when we resume international flights.”

Mr. Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO

  • Facemasks will be mandatory for travel for both Fiji Airways and Fiji Link customers once international flights recommence, and guests are advised to have these prior to arriving at the airport for the issuance of boarding passes. All customers must keep their masks on wherever practical throughout their journey, except small children and those unable to do so.  
  • All customer-facing staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment.
  • Customers can expect enhanced health screenings, including temperature checks.
  • Physical distancing and spaced out counters will be practiced throughout most airports, and hand sanitisers will be available for use.
  • All checked-in bags will be sanitised before being loaded onto the aircraft.
  • The in-cabin air in all jet aircraft is filtered and recirculated through extremely efficient HEPA filters.
  • Lavatories onboard will be sanitised more frequently inflight, and high-touch surfaces will be sanitised after every flight.  
  • Business-class customers will continue to enjoy three-course meals, now delivered on a single tray.
  • A simplified meal service for Economy Class will be delivered in special ‘Food for Thought’ packaging, which reduces contact between customers and crew. This eco-friendly packaging is safe for disposal, and will save up to half a million litres of water a year and remove up to two tonnes of plastics annually from onboard.

Fiji Airways will await approval from authorities in Fiji and its key international markets before announcing international flight schedules. At present time, international flights remain cancelled through the end of July 2020.

Click here for more information.

Delta

Delta Airlines
  • Customers and employees must wear face coverings throughout the travel journey to ensure an extra layer of protection.
  • Delta will be supplying  hand sanitizers, care kits , and other protective equipment to minimise the spread of COVID-19. 
  • Plexiglass shields will be installed at all Delta check-in counters, in Delta Sky Clubs and at gate counters across the globe.
  • Social distance markers will be added at check-in lobbies, Delta Sky Club check-in areas, at the gate, and down the jetbridge to encourage customers to stand apart.
  • Delta will be wiping down check-in lobbies, self-service kiosks, gate counters, and baggage claims many times throughout the day. By summer, its teams will be using electrostatic spraying in all airports Delta serves in the U.S. – the same measure used on every Delta flight prior to boarding. 
  • state-of-the-art air circulation systems with industrial-grade HEPA filters are used on many Delta aircraft, that extract more than 99.99% of particles, including viruses.
  • Streamlining onboard food and beverage service on all flights and encouraging customers to pack their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to decrease physical touchpoints.

Click here for more information.

Virgin Australia

  • A pre-departure COVID-19 health questionnaire will be rolling out as part of the check-in process, which all guests will be required to complete in full.
  • Guests are encouraged to bring and use their own face masks and hand sanitiser for their journey. Face masks and sanitiser are available to guests onboard. 
  • To limit face-to-face interaction, Virgin encourages all guests to check-in online wherever possible, using the Virgin Australia app, or via the Virgin Australia website. 
  • At the airport, self-service kiosks at major ports being sanitised regularly, and guests are to observe social distancing rules. 
  • Inflight catering has been simplified to reduce unnecessary contact between guests and cabin crew. Complimentary tea, coffee, juice, water, and a snack will continue to be served to all guests, but at this time, additional food and drinks will are not available for purchase onboard. 
  • Virgin will try to keep an empty seat between guests travelling alone, however, this may not always be possible.
  • All Virgin aircraft undergo a rigorous and thorough nightly cleaning procedure, which includes the disinfecting of seats, tray tables, armrests, window and shades, seatback entertainment screens, lavatories, galleys, doors and interior walls.

Click here for more information.

Scoot

Kirsty Lucas Scoot
  • Guests are required to wear a face mask or covering that effectively covers the mouth and nose while boarding, through the duration of the flight and while deplaning at their destination.
  • Passengers are to use their own masks.
  • Limit on cabin baggage: Previously, Scoot permitted up to 10kg cabin baggage in Economy Class. Now, Scoot will allow each customer one small piece of carry-on baggage of up to 3kg that must fit under the seat in front of them, so as to facilitate safe distancing for passengers during security clearance, boarding and disembarkation. The remaining cabin baggage (up to 7kg) will be checked in at no cost.
  • Temperature screening, submission of health declaration forms and self-service check-in.
  • Customers will no longer be able to pre-select their seats prior to check-in, which allows Scoot the ability to space customers throughout the cabin as much as possible to facilitate contact tracing and safe distancing.
  • All Scoot flights will operate with limited in-flight service with no sale of food and beverage items or duty-free shopping products. Instead, refreshments that have been packaged following strict food safety standards will be pre-placed on seats to limit physical interactions between customers and crew.
  • Cabin hygiene and provision of passenger care kits for hygiene
  • HEPA air filtration systems and enhanced aircraft cleaning protocol.

Click here for more information.

Singapore Airlines

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  • All airlines in the SIA Group will provide their customers with a Care Kit that includes a surgical mask, anti-bacterial hand wipes, and a hand sanitiser.
  • SIA’s e-Library is the ideal digital replacement for the newspapers, magazines, and seatback literature that have been removed from our aircraft. This is available via the SingaporeAir mobile app and provides access to more than 150 international newspapers, magazines, and other reading material.
  • The SIA crew will wear face masks throughout the flight, with the additions of eye goggles when interacting with customers and gloves during the meal service.
  • SIA has modified its in-flight food and beverage service to reduce the risk of contact for both our customers and crew members. Meals services have been suspended for flights within South East Asia and services to Mainland China due to regulatory reasons. Snack bags are provided to customers instead.
  • On long-haul flights, a single tray service has been introduced in First Class and Business Class in place of a table layout service.
  • Every SIA Group aircraft undergoes an enhanced cleaning process before a flight.
  • Ceiling-to-floor airflow patterns within the cabin help to limit the spread of viruses and bacteria. The air is also refreshed every two to three minutes. Every aircraft in the Group’s fleet is equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which remove more than 99.9% of particles including airborne viruses and bacteria.

Visit the airline’s e-brochure for more information.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways Wellness Ambassadors
Etihad Airways Wellness Ambassadors
  • Etihad Airways has launched a comprehensive health and hygiene programme called ‘Etihad Wellness’.
  • The programme will be championed by the introduction of specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who will provide essential travel health information and care so guests can fly with greater peace of mind.
  • The programme is additional to Etihad Airways already stringent health and hygiene measures put in place in April. See below.
  • Click here to find out more about Etihad’s new airport biotechnology.

Hawaiian Airlines

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  • Guests are required to wear a face mask or covering that effectively covers the mouth and nose while boarding, through the duration of the flight and while deplaning at their destination.
  • Passengers are to use their own masks.
  • Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants and airport employees wear masks while serving guests onboard aircraft.
  • Young children unable to keep a face covering on, or guests with a medical condition or disability preventing its use, will be exempt from the policy.
  • Hand sanitisers are readily available for travellers at airports statewide and on the mainland.
  • TSA is allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags until further notice.
  • For the full list of new health and hygiene measures, click here

Qantas

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  • Free masks provided to all passengers on each flight – while not mandatory from a safety point of view, they are recommended to be worn in the interests of everyone’s peace-of-mind.
  • Contactless check-in (via online/app) and self-serve bag drop strongly encouraged, including the use of Q Bag Tags.
  • Hand sanitising stations at departure gates.
  • Temporary changes to Qantas Lounges, including increased physical distancing, hand sanitising stations, enhanced disinfection of surfaces and adjustments to food and drink service.
  • Enhanced cleaning of aircraft with a disinfectant effective against Coronaviruses, with a focus on high contact areas – seats, seatbelts, overhead lockers, air vents, and toilets.
  • Sanitising wipes given to all passengers to wipe down seat belts, trays and armrests themselves, if preferred.
  • Simplified service and catering to minimise touchpoints for crew and passengers.

READ: Fly Well: Qantas Launches New Health & Safety Measures

REX (Regional Express Airlines)

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  • Face masks will be compulsory on all Rex flights from June 1, 2020.
  • Passengers are to use their own masks.
  • Those without masks can purchase one at check-in. (Price TBC)
  • Passengers will be denied boarding if they refuse to wear a mask except if there are exceptional reasons.

Emirates

Airline Health
  • Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check-in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a slew of additional measures already introduced to keep customers safe.
  • Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport.
  • Passengers transiting through Dubai International airport will have their temperatures checked via thermal scanners.
  • Protective barriers have been installed at check-in counters to provide additional safety during interactions.
  • Emirates’ cabin crew, boarding agents, and ground staff who interact directly with travellers will don personal protective equipment (PPE) including a protective disposable gown and safety visor.
  • Carry-on items allowed in the cabin are limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items. All other items have to be checked in.
  • All Emirates aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey.

READ: Precautions: Emirates Rolls Out ‘Rapid’ COVID-19 Testing For All Passengers Departing DXB

Air New Zealand

Karry On - Air New Zealand Auckland New York
  • Additional flight screening at the airport
  • Food and beverage services will not be available until at least 25 May on flights within New Zealand to minimise contact between customers and cabin crew.
  • High touch surfaces will be cleaned regularly, with extra steps to ensure all Air New Zealand aircraft, lounges and airports are cleaned throughout the day.
  • Air New Zealand jet aircraft are fitted with hospital-grade air systems that “filter out viruses”.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available across the airport, kiosks, service desks and all our aircraft for both customers and staff to use as they wish.
  • Air New Zealand aircraft are equipped with biohazard kits.
  • Staff have gloves, hand sanitiser, and face masks to keep everyone safe.

READ: How Will Air New Zealand Keep Passengers Healthy?

Etihad Airways

etihad-bio-screen
Etihad bio-screen
  • Passengers transiting through Abi Dhabi International airport will have their temperatures checked via thermal scanners.
  • You must wear a face mask whilst you travel and wash your hands at regular intervals.
  • Amended seat maps to make sure that there’s more space between passengers.
  • All Etihad aircraft are deep-cleaned and sanitised on arrival at each destination, including toilets, tray tables, armrests, and seatbelts.
  • Catering facilities go through rigorous hygiene testing before any EY meals are prepared, delivery of food and drink service has been streamlined in line with strict COVID-19 guidelines.
  • Etihad aircraft are equipped with HEPA air filters, which capture 99% of airborne microbes. The airflow systems mean that air is refreshed onboard on average 30 times every hour.
  • Onboard staff will wear face masks and personal protective equipment at all times during the flight. 
  • Onboard magazines have been removed, to limit touchpoints inside the aircraft.

Qatar

  • Passengers must wear face coverings inflight and Qatar recommends people bring their own for fit and comfort purposes.
  • Qatar Airways staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits while onboard.
  • There will be a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight.
  • Business Class meals will be served on a tray instead of a table set up, and a cutlery wrap will be offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery service, in an effort to reduce contact between the crew and the passengers.
  • Large bottles of hand sanitiser will be placed in the galleys and made available for both cabin crew and passengers.

United Airlines

Airline Update
  • All passengers and staff are required to wear a mask or face covering while onboard. BYO.
  • Customers will be given individually wrapped hand sanitiser wipes to as they board.
  • Staff temperature checks at the start of each shift.
  • The airline is reducing touchpoints by temporarily shutting down self-service kiosks and beginning to roll out, in select locations, touchless kiosks that allow customers to print bag tags using their own device to scan a QR code.
  • Actively promoting social distancing with enhanced signage, including a 6 ft. rule at the ticket counters which allows for minimal contact between agents and customers.
  • “Sneezeguards” deployed at key interaction points, including at check-in counters.
  • Boarding fewer customers at a time to allow for more distance during the boarding process, minimizing crowding at the gate and jet bridge.
  • Enhanced safety and well-being of team members by requiring the use of personal protective equipment
  • Pre-packaged food and beverages available only at the bar area to reduce customer touchpoints
  • United has introduced an “all in one” economy snack bag that replaces the economy beverage and complimentary snack choice service on domestic flights scheduled 2 hours and 20 minutes or more. This bag will include a wrapped sanitizer wipe, an 8.5 oz. bottled water, a Stroopwafel and a package of pretzels
  • Enhancing cabin sanitization including electrostatic spraying, which will happen before every flight starting this June.
  • Limiting advance seat selections where possible and allowing customers to take alternative flights when they expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity.

Click here for more information.

AirAsia

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  • Additional flight screening at the airport
  • All AirAsia guests will be required to bring their own mask and wear it properly before, during, and after the flight, including during check-in and bag collection.
  • Only ONE piece of cabin baggage is allowed for each guest.

READ: Air Asia Launches Covid-Chic’ Outfits To Keep Crew And Customers Safe