The Travel and Aviation industries are gearing up for the new normal of air travel
Chilling at the airport lounge before flights, hot towels to freshen up upon entry of the aircraft and unlimited service of drinks through your journey. These are some services that we might not get to experience any more in air travel.
As we all look forward to exploring the world once more, the flying experience we once knew may never be the same again.
Photo by Margo Brodowicz
Photo by Margo Brodowicz
Signs of hope for travel have been appearing around the world as countries like Spain begin to ease travel restrictions to its neighbours and Japan looks towards promoting domestic travel.
With Changi Airport slowly opening up to transiting travellers and essential travel to China soon being allowed, It might not be long before we can start travelling again, but now under different circumstances.
Additional safety measures will be the new normal
Photo by chuttersnap
Photo by chuttersnap
Airports and airline carriers around the world have already begun testing and implementing new sets of measures to give travellers ease of mind about their health and prevent a second outbreak from happening as soon as travel resumes.
A report by aviation marketing consultancy SimpliFlying has predicted some ways that air travel will change in the future, and how some of these measures will be here to stay.
1. Mandatory health checks before and after flights
With there already being regulations in countries where visitors must self-quarantine for at least 14 days upon arrival, these checks will be vital in early detection and prevention of the virus spreading without the hassle of being in quarantine.
For Singaporeans returning home, a health declaration via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) must be submitted within 3 days prior to your arrival date. This can be done through the SG Arrival Card e-Service.
2. Face masks to be on at all times
As wearing masks have been made mandatory at almost all public places, it comes to no surprise that it would be the same on flights too. As an added precaution, flight crew will also be required to wear masks, and in some cases full bodysuits.
3. Touchless check-ins and services
With technology in this age, wireless scanning is fast becoming seamless and common. To prevent the spread of the virus through physical contact.
From flight information to essentials, expect to get everything you need with a scan of your phone at touchless vending machines and check-ins that’s currently being trialed in Abu Dhabi airport.
4. In-flight Janitors
An extra emphasis on sanitisation is what the future of air travel will look like. Like how security was boosted after 9/11 in the form of Sky Marshals, the in-flight janitors duty on a flight is to ensure the constant cleanliness of the cabin.
5. “Sanitagging” of bags
In addition to the sanitation of the passenger, luggages will also have to be disinfected. This will be done either by fogging, electrostatic or UV-disinfection, which SimpliFlying dubs "sanitagging."
6. Social distancing
Be it the boarding area or in the airplane cabin, social distancing measures will be put in place in the form of blocked middle seats in the cabin, closures of social spaces in the aircraft and staggered boarding times for passengers.
7. Deep cleaning of aircrafts
Aircraft will now have to undergo a deep clean after every flight. This will put pressure on turnaround times and the budget carriers that use that to their advantage, probably marking the end of the 30-minute turnaround.
Photo by Louis Wai
Photo by Louis Wai
With all these factors for additional safety checks and the sanitation of bags in place, preparing for your flight might take longer than before. And the timing that you will need to be at the airport by would be much earlier too, due to the extra procedures.
Safety measures from airlines
Singapore Airlines, SlikAir and Scoot
Our local carriers have implemented these new measures for all upcoming flights.
- Passengers must bring and wear their own masks at all times throughout the flight
- Singapore Airlines and Scoot passengers will receive a complimentary Care Kit which includes a surgical mask, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitisers
- Passengers must observe safe distancing when embarking, disembarking and queueing for the lavatory
- Inbound travellers to Singapore will undergo a basic health assessment before boarding
- Meal services will be suspended for flights within Southeast Asia and services to China, all other flights will have meals
- Inflight services and magazines will not be available
- Cabin baggage will be limited to 3kg while the remaining cabin baggage will need to be checked in at no additional cost
Emirates
While restarting regular passenger flights to nine international destinations from Dubai airports, the airline has put the following measures in place.
- Free hygiene kits will be given to all passengers
- Gloves and masks must be worn at the airport and masks are compulsory on flights
- Passengers will enter the aircraft by exact row rather than zones, from the back of the plane to the front
- Lavatories will be sanitised every 45minutes during the flight
Qatar Airways
Still operating flights to more than 30 destinations around the world, Qatar Airways has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for both its passengers and crew.
- Passengers must bring and wear their own masks at all times throughout the flight
- Flight crew will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits during the flight
- Business class meals will be served on a tray instead of a table set up
- Large bottles of hand sanitiser will be placed in the galleys for both passengers and crew to use
- Social areas onboard will be closed due to social distancing measures
Air Asia
Air Asia has these precautionary safety measures in place to protect both its passengers and crew.
- Passengers must bring and wear their own masks at all times throughout the flight
- One piece of cabin baggage is allowed for each passenger
- Aircrafts will go through a deep cleaning at every night stop
- Social distancing will be observed during check-in with markers on the floor
- Contactless web and mobile check-in will be available to reduce surface and physical contact
We will be updating this article as more information regarding the ease of flight restrictions and added safety measures come in.
