Part of the concern surrounding the return of foreign travel was the flight experience itself. With people sitting so close to one another, how could a flight ever be Covid-safe? Like most other businesses, airlines have had to adapt to ensure maximum safety for their passengers and the ingenious ways in which they have done it are incredible. Here are a few reasons why you have no need to worry the next time you step onto a plane…
Filtered air
In short, the air onboard a flight is incredibly clean. Advanced HEPA filters remove 99.97% of bacteria, viruses and allergens from the air, with the air itself being recycled roughly every two to three minutes. On top of that, airlines require you to wear masks at all times onboard (except when you’re eating) and provide one for you in a complimentary Covid-19 amenity kit, along with a little tube of anti-bacterial hand gel.
Contactless technology
It might sound like something that may exist in the future, but completely contactless technology on flights is the here and now. You can now view in-flight dining menus on the Emirates app both before boarding and during your flight in offline mode, so you won’t need to see your meal options anywhere else. Qatar Airways has also introduced its impressive ‘Zero-Touch’ technology, whose revolutionary Oryx One Communications flexible wi-fi means you can connect all of your personal devices (whether that’s your mobile phone, tablet or bluetooth headphones) to the in-flight entertainment system. This not only makes your onboard experience so much more simple and enjoyable, but limits passenger contact and the potential spread of coronavirus.
State-of-the-art cleanliness
Even though airlines kept their planes incredibly clean before, since the pandemic they’ve upped their game. At British Airways, everything is meticulously sanitised before every flight, including every seat, screen and tray table – right down to the last seatbelt buckle. After every flight, every surface is disinfected from nose to tail. Qatar Airways broke new ground to become the first airline to employ Honeywell’s portable ultraviolet cabin system, which heavily reduces germs and bacteria on all surfaces it’s applied to.
