New air travel rules during Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

You must know the new rules before you travel by air after Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. It will not be the same as before. Things will look very different at the airports and planes. It is called the “new” normal. Some experts believe that it will last for two or three years. There will be less contact between you and the airline employees for protection against Coronavirus disease.

Before you travel, you need to know: –

• • If you are sick, DO NOT travel. Call the airlines to postpone or cancel your trip.
  • If you are well, you may have to bring: –
    • • some face masks (Most European, Asian and North American must wear them – see their government websites)
        
      • pairs of rubber gloves
        
      • a small box of tissue paper or anti-bacterial wipes
        
      • a small bottle of hand sanitiser
      • your digital boarding pass (by using online check-in on either computer, your mobile phone, tablets).

At the airport, you may find signs/floor markings that tell you what to do and may need to: –

• • bring your digital boarding pass (in your mobile phone or tablets)
    use a self-service check-in kiosk to print your bag tags for your checked luggage. Do not worry about touching the screens. They are cleaned frequently.
    
  • put your checked luggage in the Bag Drop.
  • Then walk to the gate (DO NOT FORGET the Social distance – keep 1.5m (or 2m) away from you and the people around you)
    

At the departure gate, you may find the signs/floor markings that tell you what to do and may: –

• • find hand sanitising station if you want to clean your hands.
    
  • sit on seats if you want to. Do not sit close to the passengers – still keep 1.5m (or 2m) distancing between two people.
    
  • keep safe distance while walking, queueing up to the gate door.
    
  • bring your digital boarding pass to scan on the ticket machine.
  • walk through the passenger bridges.
  • If the passengers stop in front of you, then you must stop in 1.5m (or 2m) away from them and wait.

On board, you can: –

• • Smile and say hello to flight attendant at the entrance door. You can see flight attendants wearing face masks and other personal protective equipment. It is not easy for deaf people like me to hear what they are saying because it is impossible to lipread!
    
  • Do not hand out your digital boarding pass to a flight attendant. They do not want to touch it. Just show them on your mobile phone screen and KEEP DISTANCE between you and the flight attendant. He/She will guide you to find your seat.
    
  • You can see that passengers are not allowed to seat together. The middle seat should be empty between two passengers. (Some airlines cannot guarantee this kind of distancing).
    
  • After the plane door closed, you are not allowed to change seats and must stay on your seat until after landing. Try to reduce your walking around in the aisle throughout the flights except going to the toilet!
  • You will notice that the air looks refreshed and clean because it has been disinfected by using hospital-grade HEPA filter that can kill viruses and bacteria including Coronavirus inside the cabin every three minutes. All the seats, armrests, tray tables, overheads and windows are all cleaned by hand.
    
  • The inflight service will be simple – food and drink have been reduced and no inflight entertainment.
    
  • Some airlines do not accept cash anymore. Please use a credit card for any purchases (such as ordering food).

Happy flying. The most important is to bring your digital boarding pass in your mobile phone or tablet in order to avoid queues and save time and bring your spare masks with you. You can find more information from your airline’s websites.

All photos were taken from a Star Alliance video clip.