As travel is set to resume, airlines around the world are updating their service protocols since there is no cure or vaccine for the CoronaVirus. Measure include reducing the interaction through the travel process so that people can stay as far apart as possible.

Singapore Airlines has now introduced a range of health and safety initiatives, and enhanced several existing measures, in recent weeks as part of a comprehensive review of the end-to-end customer journey, based on the advice of medical experts, regulators and partners, as well as feedback from its customers.

Information on the health and safety measures during the pre-flight stage, at the airport, on board the aircraft, and upon arrival is available in a new online e-brochure, which will also be sent to all customers before their flights.

Lounges

SIA has stepped up cleaning procedures their premises, including the SilverKris Lounges. Passengers who can access the lounges will now get a la carte meals instead of a buffet service, where SQ staff will wear masks all the time and gloves when necessary.

Digital food ordering services in the lounges and an in-flight e-menu will be introduced in the coming months.

Enhanced hygiene standards on the planes

Every SIA Group aircraft (including Singapore Airlines, Scoot and other group entities) undergoes an enhanced cleaning process before a flight. It includes aircraft fogging procedures that follow regulatory requirements. Common surfaces and areas such as windows, tray tables, handsets, in-flight entertainment screens, lavatories and galleys are wiped down with an approved strong disinfectant. Headsets, headrest covers, pillow covers, bed sheets, and blankets are also washed and replaced after every flight.

Ceiling-to-floor airflow patterns within the cabin help to limit the spread of viruses and bacteria. The air is also refreshed every two to three minutes. Every aircraft in the Group’s fleet is equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which remove more than 99.9% of particles, including airborne viruses and bacteria.

Almost all lavatories in SIA aircraft feature contactless faucets and have anti-bacterial hand wash. SIA is also looking at a trial of an ultra-violet (UVC) light cleaning procedure on the ground for its lavatories before every flight.

In-flight products and service

From 8 June, all airlines in the SIA Group will provide their customers with a Care Kit that includes a surgical mask, anti-bacterial hand wipes and a hand sanitiser.

SIA has also created a digital replacement for the newspapers, magazines and seatback literature that have been removed from the aircraft with an e-Library. This is available via the SingaporeAir mobile app and provides access to more than 150 international newspapers, magazines and other reading material.

Singapore Airlines will also offer the world’s first Companion App, which will allow customers to control KrisWorld, SIA’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, via their mobile devices.

SQ’s crew will wear face masks throughout the flight, with the additions of eye goggles when interacting with customers and gloves during the meal service.

In-flight Meal services

Singapore Airlines has modified its in-flight food and beverage service to reduce the risk of contact for customers as well as crew members. Meals services have been suspended for flights within South East Asia and services to Mainland China due to regulatory reasons. Snack bags are provided to customers instead.

On long-haul flights, a single tray service has been introduced in First Class and Business Class in place of a table-layout service. To boost the in-flight dining experience, Singapore Airlines will progressively reintroduce customer favourites such as the Airline’s signature satay and garlic bread from mid-June 2020.

Digital solutions in the coming days

The SingaporeAir mobile app will be enhanced to provide customers with more information about the travel and health restrictions across the network, which will be personalised according to their booking.

SQ is working on a Print-n-Go solution, which would allow customers to print their boarding passes and baggage tags at airport self-service kiosks in a contactless way via the SingaporeAir Mobile App or a QR code.

Bottomline

A lot of fun will go away from flying for the time being, but it will still mean airlines will keep the essentials and then some more. As we saw with airlines in India, there will be parts of the experience that will be governed by regulation and pieces from the corporate diktat. In the case of SQ, I admire their ambition to try already and do more, such as bringing back the garlic bread and satay, which is a universal favourite.

What do you make of Singapore Airlines Service & new protocols flying through CoVid-19?

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