WEEKLY TRAVEL NEWS | What Airlines are doing during the pandemic

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines around the world are faced with a conundrum – how to minimize the potential for spreading coronavirus by limiting contact among customers and employees. As a result, different carriers are adopting various strategies to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

In the recent news, there has been passengers who have exposing airlines for having over packed flights, despite communicating they are practicing social distancing on their flights. What has been advised is that those circumstances are exceptions. Currently, there is no government standard in North America regarding social distancing. What has been mandatory are air passengers to wear masks or face coverings at the start of boarding and throughout the flight. What the airlines are cautioning is that if the middle seat is not being sold, the cost of seats can go up by $80.00-$300.00 a flight. The opportunity for air passengers to move around the Aircraft if there are empty seats available; however, there are no guarantees that the flights will not be packed. The current exploration are innovative ways to offset the costs by having a mixture of cargo and passengers on one plane. They are also limiting interactions by not offering hot food and having the passengers take the plate of cold food off the cart and reducing hot beverages and keeping it to bottled water

Here is a roundup of what some carriers are doing to practice social distancing both onboard and on the ground.

AIR CANADA AIRLINES

• Required to wear face masks

• Flight crew required to wear face masks

• Will allow for physical distancing where possible during boarding and where feasible onboard

• Check in online or via the air Canada app

• They have temperature screening, symptom screening, physical distancing measures and cleaning & Disinfectant, changes to onboard service,

• If possible, passengers are allowed to change their flight and go on a later one without additional cost

• Serving bottled water and pre-packaged meals on flights were complimentary

• From May 15th to June 30th blocking the middle seat in economy to give more personal space (check  their seat maps for seating arrangements)

• May 15th introducing disposable customer care kits

AIR TRANSAT AIRLINES

• Currently suspended flights until June 30, 2020

SUNWING AIRLINES

• Suspended flights until May 31st, 2020

WESTJET AIRLINES

• They are selling fewer seats

• The middle seat would be unavailable on certain Aircrafts until June 30th 2020

• Keeping 2 meters (6ft) of distance between the guest in front and behind when boarding

• Using the WestJet App to download boarding passes to display on phones

• Using the disinfectant wipes provided during boarding to wipe down seats and table trays

• Avoid lining up for washrooms

• Mandatory protective face coverings throughout the travel journey

• Implemented aircraft fogging of entire aircraft interior to provide a complete disinfection using a hydrogen peroxide-based solution cleaner.

• In-flight service On flights under 90 minutes:

  • no longer offering service on these flights Water and complimentary snacks are available for emergency use only:

• Over 90 mins suspended beverage service:

  • Economy:

    • Guests receive a complimentary snack, water bottle (small) and napkin on their seat prior to boarding for all occupied seats

    • Additional water is available on request

    • Premium and Business:

    • Guests receive a premium snack box, napkin and water bottle (small) on their seat prior to boarding

      • Additional water is available on request

• All guests are required to respond to a health questionnaire at the time of boarding.

• Clean air – HEPA filters - fresh air into the cabin every two to three minutes (20 to 30 air changes per hour

PORTER AIRLINES

• To remain grounded through June 29th

Stay safe and healthy,
The Luxe and Lavish Travels Team