:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/travelinsurance-cb50a4e892344d29a58578e9d2178685.jpg "Your Passport to Peace of Mind: Top Airlines Detail Their Enhanced Steps for Safer Skies")
Oh, the world has certainly changed quite a bit lately, hasn’t it? The coronavirus pandemic really reshaped things, impacting almost everyone on earth and shaking up the global economy. But guess what? With many countries reopening and restrictions lifting, getting back to traveling is becoming a big priority for so many of us! There’s that familiar call of adventure, and the airlines have been busy making sure you can answer it with peace of mind.
Now, don’t expect things to be exactly like they were before the pandemic. The travel landscape has evolved, but airlines have been working diligently to adapt, doing their best to keep up while ensuring passengers are safe and comfortable. While initially some airlines blocked seats for social distancing, you can generally expect a full flight and a bustling airport on your next trip. It might feel a little confusing with constantly shifting guidance, but there’s a whole host of new procedures designed with your health in mind.
A common theme you’ll find across the board is the requirement for face coverings. For instance, Air Canada requires masks for all adult passengers and crew, with specific rules for children depending on the flight destination. Alaska Airlines is firm on this, requiring masks for anyone over two years old with no exceptions noted for health waivers, even providing a mask if you forget yours! Delta Air Lines also requires masks for guests over two, with a formal Clearance-to-Fly process needed at the airport for any exception, warning against false claims.
British Airways notes that you “may be required to wear a face mask on board or when disembarking the aircraft, depending on restrictions at your destination.”¹ They even recommend changing your mask every four hours! Allegiant Air, too, mandates face coverings for those over two, though they have a process for medical exemptions requiring email contact and a negative COVID-19 test within three days of the flight if approved. American Airlines also requires masks for those over two when not eating or drinking.
Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! Airlines are truly stepping up their game here. You can expect rigorous procedures between flights. Air Canada uses an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer and sanitizes high-touch areas. American Airlines gives its aircraft an electrostatic spray once per week that protects against bacteria, mold, and viruses, alongside disinfecting high-touch surfaces between flights. Allegiant takes it even further, using an advanced antimicrobial protectant that creates a barrier killing germs on contact for up to 14 days, plus they use VOC filters alongside the standard air purification.
Speaking of air purification, you’ll be breathing easy knowing that many airlines utilize High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These aren’t just any filters; they recirculate cabin air frequently – every two to four minutes on American Airlines mainline aircraft and most regional jets, every two to three minutes on British Airways and Air France – and are incredibly effective. British Airways highlights their filters remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with over 99.9% efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating room standards! Air France and Delta also boast that their HEPA filters eliminate more than 99.97% of bacteria and viruses, while Cathay Pacific states their system ensures the cabin is free of 99.999% of contaminants.
Service onboard has seen some changes, though it’s evolving back towards normal. Many airlines initially reduced offerings to minimize interaction. Now, on Air Canada flights where meals are offered, prepackaged meals are served with an antiseptic wipe, and bar service is combined with meal service. Air France is seeing snacks, pastries, and hot/cold beverages return on medium-haul flights in economy, with full meals in business class, and offers passengers a choice between two hot meals on long-haul economy flights worldwide.
American Airlines is seeing inflight food and beverage service return in all cabins, including sandwiches and salads on domestic flights, and yes, even glassware is making a comeback! British Airways has limited catering but it’s slowly returning, with hot meals back on long-haul flights served at once to reduce contact. Cathay Pacific has a modified meal service designed to reduce crew contact, which still looks quite nice, but has temporarily suspended the pre-meal bar and pre-poured drinks. Delta Air Lines has mostly restored food and beverage offerings since June 2021, with hot options on coast-to-coast flights and snacks and beverages available on most flights.
Ground operations and lounge experiences have also been adapted. Many lounges have reopened with enhanced safety precautions. On the ground, Air Canada lounges are regularly cleaned using electrostatic sprayers, and guests can enjoy prepackaged meals or order via smartphone. Tables, chairs, and bathrooms are sanitized after each use. Air France has reopened most of its lounges globally, with only a few specific locations remaining closed.
Alaska Airlines extends their Next Level Care commitment to their lounges, which are all available. They’ve replaced physical newspapers with digital versions and modified food/beverage offerings to prepackaged options, though full bars are available. American Airlines’ Admirals Club and Flagship Lounges are reopening with enhanced safety, offering meals, snacks, and full bars, with additional orders available via smartphone. American is even installing touchless, foot-operated devices on bathroom doors to reduce touchpoints – now that’s thinking ahead!
British Airways has reopened select lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5, though sadly, the Elemis spas in their lounges at Heathrow and New York JFK will not reopen. Cathay Pacific’s lounges require temperature checks and masks when not eating or drinking, with reduced meal and drink service. Delta Sky Clubs are all open as of June 2021, requiring masks when not eating or drinking. Record keeping for contact tracing is also a feature in some lounges, like Air Canada’s.
Several airlines have introduced specific programs to consolidate their health and safety measures. Air Canada calls their suite of protocols Air Canada CleanCare+, emphasizing a touch-free experience starting at bag drop. Air France highlights their thorough cleaning procedures under Air France Protect. Delta Air Lines rolled out Delta CareStandard, partnering with Lysol and introducing antimicrobial bins at select TSA checkpoints. Cathay Pacific has implemented enhanced measures across the journey under the name Cathay Care.
Technology and partnerships are also playing a key role in streamlining travel requirements. Airlines are partnering with testing providers; American Airlines, for example, partnered with LetsGetChecked for at-home tests and CareNow for onsite rapid tests at DFW, even allowing passengers to redeem miles for tests! American and Alaska Airlines passengers traveling to the U.S. can use the VeriFLY app to upload COVID-19 documents for easier check-in. Air France has updated details on relaxed travel rules in their Ready to Fly section.
Some airlines required passengers to complete health questionnaires before boarding. Alaska Airlines’ Next Level Care requires guests to answer questions about symptoms and exposure, confirming they haven’t exhibited symptoms in the past 72 hours or been in close proximity to someone positive. Cathay Pacific also requires passengers to complete a health questionnaire before boarding. Temperature screening was also implemented by some, including Air France and Cathay Pacific.
Vaccination requirements have also come into play. Air Canada mandates that all passengers aged 12 years plus four months or older must be fully vaccinated to board a flight departing from Canadian airports. For international arrivals into certain countries like the U.S., proof of a negative test or recovery might still be required, though specific requirements vary and change.
While some airlines like Delta and Alaska initially blocked middle seats to encourage social distancing, they have since stopped this practice. Cathay Pacific mentioned they would be “blocking off seats wherever possible,”² but stated there was no official blocking policy. Allegiant never limited loads, though crew might reassign seats if space allows. This shift indicates a return to fuller flights, emphasizing that other safety measures like masks, cleaning, and air filtration are the primary focus now.
So, as you dust off your suitcase and dream of your next destination, know that airlines have been diligently working behind the scenes. They’ve implemented comprehensive cleaning protocols, adapted service offerings, adjusted ground experiences, and introduced technology to make your journey smoother and safer. While travel looks a little different, the core excitement of exploring the world remains, and the airlines are ready to help you get there with confidence, embracing the new normal with enhanced care every step of the way!
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