COVID-19: Major Airline Policy Updates explained

To protect their employees and customers as well as to reduce the risk of the awakening of COVID-19, airlines are changing their in-flight rules, including social distancing measures into the skies and mandatory wearing of face masks in and outside of the aeroplane and airports.

Here’s a look at the latest regulations airlines are implementing:

British Airways

Booking:

British Airways has continued its relaxed booking policy to customers booking flights and holidays throughout September. The policy, which allows customers to change the dates and destinations of their bookings without obtaining a change fee, covers journeys until August 31, 2021. If customers choose to cancel their booking instead, they will receive a voucher for use at a later date.

Before departure:

Remember to check-in online before departure to limit interactions with employees at the airport. Passengers are reminded to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before long-haul flights and 2 hours before short-haul flights. Hand baggage should be kept to a minimum so it’s easier to move through the airport.

New food service is offered on board which will reduce physical contact with the crew and Special meals, including children’s meals, are currently unavailable so passengers are asked to bring their food if required.

Once at the airport, please maintain a space social distance between each other and wear a face mask as it is mandatory for all passengers in airports and throughout the entire flight and use the hand sanitising stations throughout the airport to limit the risks.

Onboard:

Onboard the aeroplane a face mask is mandatory for the duration of the flight and be aware a face mask has a lifespan of 4 hours so please bring more face masks if your flight is longer than 4 hours. Each passenger is given a personal protection pack that includes an antibacterial wipe and hand sanitiser gel to maintain inflight hygiene.

After arrival:

After disembarking the aeroplane, the aircraft undergoes a deep cleanse and all used materials are thoroughly cleaned. This is done before and after every flight.

More safety measures by British Airways can be found here.

easyJet

Before departure:

Before you depart to the airport please be aware that certain destinations require specific forms that need to be filled in before you arrive in the country, the easyJet country-specific travel information can be found here. Remember to bring a face mask, face masks must be worn by all employees and passengers, failure to wear a mask can result in being denied entry to the aeroplane.

Onboard:

Face masks are mandatory onboard the aeroplane, cabin baggage must be stowed by passengers and also closed by passengers. A limited bistro service is available on most flights, yet you can only check the menu card via the mobile app or on the website of easyJet, otherwise ask the crew on board. Payments can only be done by card.

The aeroplane is cleaned thoroughly daily with each aircraft fitted with a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter which replaces cabin air every three to four minutes to keep the cabin as safe as possible.

After arrival:

Once arriving at your destinations please be aware that there could be possible further health checks at the airport.

Thorough cabin disinfection is executed daily to protect the surface from viruses for at least 24 hours.

More safety measures by easyJet can be found here.

Turkish Airlines

Before departure:

Before the flight, it is recommended that you check-in online to reduce airport interactions. Please arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight. Check-in procedures will end at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 75 minutes before international flights.

Please keep these new regulations in mind before departure. There are new cabin baggage rules with one item allowed with maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm and no more than 4 kg. Social distancing is enforced at the airport and hand sanitising stations are available at various locations throughout the airport. Check-in is now automated and temperature checks are conducted before your flight

Onboard:

Face masks are mandatory during the entire duration of the flight and all employees are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE). The aeroplane is fitted with a hospital standard HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter which renews the air inside the cabin every 3 minutes.

You will be provided with a “Hygiene Kit” consisting of a mask, an antiseptic tissue and a hand sanitizer. Inflight meals are prepared according to high-hygiene rules. To reduce physical contact, only bottled water will be served on flights of less than 2 hours.

After arrival:

After each flight, all contact points in the aircraft are thoroughly cleaned by special teams. The aircraft are disinfected once again by a two-stage special disinfection procedure called fogging upon their arrival at the hub and made ready for their next flight.

More safety measures by Turkish Airlines can be found here.

KLM

Before departure:

KLM advises passengers to check the health requirements (e.g. wearing a face mask) and additional entry documentation of the country they are travelling to on their government’s website. Passengers on all flights of KLM are required to wear a face mask from the first boarding call until they have gone through the arrival gate of their destination.

The airline also stated that without the face mask, passengers will not be allowed to board the aeroplane. Children who are under 10 years old as well as passengers who cannot wear a face mask due to medical reasons will be exempted from this line of requirement. These new measures apply until 31 August 2020, at the earliest. Passengers are asked to arrive 3 hours before their international flight and 2 hours before all European flights

Onboard:

Face masks are mandatory on the entire flight. During the flight, the air in the aircraft is continually renewed with fresh air drawn in from outside. The aeroplane is equipped with an air filtration system consisting of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which capture 99,99% of viruses and bacteria, including coronaviruses.

Catering will be different due to the possible contamination that may arise therefore meals will change. On European flights, you’ll receive a box containing a sandwich in Economy Class. In Business Class, you’ll receive a box created by a Dutch designer Marcel Wanders with breakfast, lunch or dinner. On intercontinental flights, you’ll receive a bag containing snacks, fruit and drinks. Additionally, a salad, a hot meal and a dessert are served in Economy Class. In Business Class, KLM serves a salad, a hot meal, a dessert, cheese and crackers with tableware designed by Marcel Wanders.

After arrival:

After the flight, the entire cabin is cleaned with approved disinfectants to make it safe for new passengers and you if you return home on a KLM flight.

More safety measures by KLM can be found here.

Alitalia

Before departure:

To maintain social distancing, Alitalia recommends that you carry out the web check-in or to use, where present, the fast check-in kiosks at the airport. Remember to complete a self-declaration form before departure if you are travelling to Italy.

This form can be found here. Different countries have different forms or procedures so please be aware of the individual country’s rules before departure. Please have these forms completed before departure to speed up the process inside the airport.

Onboard:

Wearing a face mask is mandatory on all flights with the national carrier of Italy, Alitalia. The life of a face mask is only 4 hours so please remember to bring enough face masks if your flight duration is longer than 4 hours.

From June 26, the ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) created new regulations that made the use of overhead bins for the storage of hand baggage no longer allowed with hand baggage being held in the hold, free of charge. Small hand baggage is allowed to be stored underneath your seat.

The on-board service is changed and all meals will be distributed in the most efficient way to limit movement around the cabin. Special deals are still allowed.

After arrival:

All Alitalia aircraft are sanitised with high-powered sanitising products every day and, thanks to High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters and vertical circulation, the air onboard is renewed every three minutes.

More safety measures by Alitalia can be found here.

LOT Polish Airlines

Before departure:

For safety reasons the airline recommends online check-in and arriving at the airport with enough time before their flight.

Onboard:

A face mask is mandatory for all flights conducted by LOT airlines. The airline allows one piece of carry-on baggage providing it does not exceed the dimensions of 55cm / 40 cm / 23 cm and weigh over 8 kg.

Meals are served in individual packages. Passengers are provided with hand sanitizer or antibacterial tissues to maintain hygienic conditions.

After arrival:

All LOT Polish Airlines planes are regularly disinfected with a special biocide solution to maintain hygiene for all current and future passengers. More safety measures by LOT can be found here.

Qatar Airways

Before departure:

Qatar Airways and its hub airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha have implemented social distancing and require everyone to use a face mask in all airports and during all flights. The airline recommends online check-in and that passengers arrive at the airport 3 hours before flights.

Onboard:

All airline employees in and outside the aeroplane wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Face masks are mandatory on all flights and face shields must be worn at all times in economy class while a business class can wear the face shields at their discretion. Also, all products onboard are thoroughly cleaned ranging from headsets to bedding and linen.

After arrival:

After disembarking each aircraft is disinfected after every flight with cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

More safety measures by Qatar Airways can be found here.

Air Europa

Before departure:

The airline suggests you check-in online to limit exposure to employees as well as speeding up the check-in procedure. Social distancing is enforced in airports and protective screens are installed at check-in and customer service desks of the airline.

Onboard:

All newspapers and magazines are removed to limit the spread of the virus. Inflight employees are equipped with a mask and a pair of gloves. Face masks are mandatory in flights; Air Europa will give out a KN95 mask free of charge to all its passengers at the time they access the aircraft.

Aircraft are fitted with hospital-grade HEPA or high-efficiency recirculation filters to guarantee safe air which is completely renewed every few minutes.

After arrival:

Aeroplanes are cleaned throughout with hospital-grade products that are suited to kill the virus at least every 24 hours.

More safety measures by Air Europa can be found here.

Lufthansa

Before Departure:

The airline recommends that you review and observe the current entry requirements for your destination as well as the regulations at the departure and destination airports. Mobile check-in is also advised.

New baggage rules allow only one item of hand baggage. Face masks are mandatory in the airport.

Onboard:

The aircraft is boarded by sections and face masks are mandatory. Once onboard, passengers are given disinfectant wipes to clean all surfaces in and around your seat. Air filters allow a complete air exchange within about 3 minutes to keep excellent air quality inside the cabin.

After arrival:

Cabins are thoroughly cleaned before and after each flight. Social distancing is still enforced once disembarking the aeroplane and reentering the airport.

More safety measures by Lufthansa can be found here.

airBaltic

Before departure:

airBaltic has implemented all industry standards in light of the COVID-19 virus. Face masks are mandatory in all airports and aeroplanes. Use online check-in if available to minimize employee contact. Maintain distance once in the airport and be aware that body temperatures will be checked before being allowed past security checks.

Onboard:

A face mask should be worn throughout the journey. Inflight meals are prepared under strict guidelines and packed separately. Crew members wear protective face masks and gloves throughout the flight. Each passenger will receive a free basic care kit including a protective face mask and two disinfecting wipes. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters provide the best level of filtration available for cabin air in all airBaltic planes.

After arrival:

After every return flight, all regularly used items in the cabin are cleaned with deeper disinfection done nightly. Twice a week each aircraft goes through full cabin disinfection including ceiling, walls and other surfaces.

More safety measures by airBaltic can be found here.

Key Takeaways

There are a few rules and regulations that are implemented by all currently operating airlines. These are as follows:

Before departure:

  • Online check-in is required by all airlines to limit airport interactions.

  • Social distancing is enforced in all airports.

  • Temperatures of passengers will be checked before boarding.

Onboard:

  • Face masks should be worn at all times during the flight journey. Masks have a lifespan of 4 hours; remember to pack more face masks if your journey is longer than 4 hours.

  • All airline employees are equipped with face masks and gloves.

  • The aeroplanes are fitted with a hospital standard HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter which renews air inside the cabin every 3 minutes.

  • Meal options are limited, take your own food if needed.

After arrival:

  • Aircraft are clean thoroughly before and after each flight.

  • These new measures are implemented by the airlines to make your air travel as safe as possible. Please follow these regulations when travelling to help stop the spread of the virus which has impacted so many of us.

Want to read more?