Vikas Rattan
 
‘Recently around, all operational airlines have issued advisories and protocols as well as information on how they have adapted or amended their regular standard operating procedures (SOPs) to create safer ambience for their passengers that minimize the chances of any covid related contamination. I am going to list some of the general ones that you should come across when you board.‘
Aircraft Sanitization
Extensive disinfecting procedures are in place to cover almost all human touch surfaces
Magazines/ Menu Cards / News Papers: When you may find no magazines, no menu cards or newspapers in the seat back pocket, it would be a good idea not to ask the crew what happened to them. If that’s what you like or prefer, pack some in your hand baggage.
Face Masks: Do they need any introduction, Wearing face mask shall be mandatory but wearing a face shield or hand gloves shall be not although there are airlines which are providing these to their travellers if they would like to be extra cautious. With almost all airlines, a face mask will be the only must during C/I, Boarding and Disembarkation, although be prepared to wear it throughout your flight in the cabin as well.
In Flight Orders: If your flight does not offer complimentary meals and charges for them, ensure to place an order in advance as chances of you getting served with an inflight order may be minimal.
Headsets: Well may airlines are now providing them again. They are being orderly disinfected and repacked for optimal use so you should not miss them either.
Inflight Entertainment System: Did you just find it where you left it last time. But Sorry.. it may not be working!. That one does affect the experience to be honest. What you shall still be able to see will be the common screens showing essential information including safety briefings and inflight navigation related maps. If you do find the IESs working on your airline then consider yourself lucky. Airlines have already been working on reducing cost after the pandemic hit and if the current scenario gives them a chance to totally remove the IFE systems, then they may well take this opportunity or some of them.
Crew wearing PPE
“Out of 20 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide, there are less than 50 known cases of transmission on board. (Source IATA ORG)”
Crew: You shall find the crew wearing personal protective equipment including gloves. The pretty trademark uniforms that we are used to seeing can be missed but the smile and service attitude should not be missed.
Covid Testing: Yes, there are some airlines where this is in place. For example, Emirates has been checking passengers for a ‘Rapid Covid Test’ on C/I itself where the results are out in 10 minutes. Really..What if I am found positive and I was not expecting this at all? Check my another blog on what happens if you come out Covid positive at arrival in another country or while boarding or disembarking an aircraft.
Flight rates are very high even now for my one way ticket to Toronto from Delhi. I was paying about 70% maximum earlier of the price that I see now … same time scenario, i used to book 3 months in advance
airlines almost using this as an opportunity now not to return people’s money.
Air India refunded us almost in full no problem there for our flights to Dubai