While we aren’t quite in the COVID clear just yet, slowly but surely vaccinations are rolling out, and the light at the end of the tunnel for the travel industry is getting brighter and brighter with each passing week. It might not be time to start planning our bucket list vacations but essential travel is still a part of many people’s lives. Airlines are adjusting policies to abide by our new normal and hygiene measures have gotten a big upgrade this past year. Some airlines have really stepped up their COVID safety game and are implementing new methods to keep the COVID-19 spread to a minimum. Travel safely and check out some of these impressive tactics below.
See Also: 7 Canadian Hotels Stepping Up Their COVID Safety Game
Air Canada
Air Canada’s thorough approach to COVID safety cleaning and disinfecting is keeping transmission low and passengers safe. Their HEPA filtration systems capture 99.99% of airborne particles and are continually refreshing the cabin air. They recently introduced electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, that apply a charge to disinfectant droplets to cause them to have a greater attraction to surfaces, thus cleaning more effectively.
Ryanair
At one time, this European budget airline contemplated charging people to use the onboard washroom, in an attempt to keep COVID hot spots as clean as possible. While they did not go through with this, they are now enforcing a school-like rule during their flights. Passengers are required to raise their hands and ask permission from a flight attendant to use the washroom. Ryanair says asking passengers to raise their hands will help eliminate congestion in the aisles and contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Delta
Delta airlines have recently installed Vyv Antimicrobial LED Lights in aircraft washrooms to increase their COVID safety measures. These LED lavatory lights help to reduce the growth of bacteria on high-touch areas such as the sinks and countertops. The disinfecting lights also kill airborne bacteria and are completely safe to have on while using Delta’s facilities.
Alaska
This American-based airline is exceeding covid-precaution guidelines to ensure passengers are given the cleanest and safest flight possible. In some cases, along with thorough cleaning crews and high-grade equipment, Alaska flights are using ATP testing. This effective method ensures cleanliness levels throughout the cabin match those of highly sanitized environments, like a hospital operating room.
Emirates
Some companies have added extra janitorial staff to their aircrafts, and UAE airline Emirates is among them. In flights exceeding 1 hour 30 minutes, an extra member of the cabin crew is added to the flight, easing passenger’s safety fears. These crew members are dedicated to cleaning the lavatories and disinfecting high-contact surfaces.
WestJet
Canadian airline WestJet has implemented a new COVID safety cleaning procedure to their flights called fogging. This technique allows the entire aircraft to be disinfected in about 15 minutes with a hydrogen-peroxide-based spray solution. Additionally, hospital-grade Clorox wipes and sprays are used to disinfect high-contact areas even better.
