How many of us miss the rituals of flying, from the bing-bong of the seat belt sign to binge-watching films on the in-flight entertainment system?
Despite mass vaccination programs around the world gaining pace and talk of quarantine-free holidays, the prospect of traveling internationally still feels remote for most of us.
And when we do return to the skies, some of us will likely be feeling anxious about being strapped into the enclosed confines of an aircraft cabin for prolonged periods.
While many airlines have revised their schedules or grounded some of their fleets due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus, there have still been flights operating across the globe throughout the pandemic.
In Vietnam, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has been certified with the highest 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating for the safety measures and improved hygiene processes introduced by the firm to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating is the global assessment and certification of airline health and safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic that is based on professional and scientific investigation of the standards being provided by the airline, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Accreditation is regarded as a global benchmark for evaluating COVID-19 safe travel.
Vietnam Airlines encourages their guests to “Travel with Confidence” having conducted a broad risk assessment across all major customer touch-points. The airline has leveraged its membership of the SkyTeam Alliance and has implemented the “SkyCare & Protect” brand across airports in Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines has recently increased the number of hand hygiene units at all high contact areas at check-in, boarding, baggage reclaim, and in the Lotus Lounges.
Onboard service has been simplified to reduce contact between customers and staff – however, cabin crew wear a full-range of personal protective equipment, and passengers are given sanitizers and wipes, and can request face masks. The standard and type of inflight hygiene products are expected to be updated as the airline undertakes more international flights.
According to Edward Plaisted, General Director of Skytrax, Vietnam Airlines has implemented a broad range of enhanced hygiene and revised service measures to keep customers and staff safe during the pandemic.
The protocols are being applied consistently and with suitable consideration for the risk level in the domestic market, and importantly, Vietnam Airlines has put in place appropriate planning for managing increased passenger volumes and handling more international customers, he said.
The safety assessment program for COVID-19 prevention and control was carried out in May-June 2021 by Skytrax experts. The assessment was applied the common global standard of passenger health and safety and the best practices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) , the Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as the pandemic prevention policies of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating confirms excellent airport processing standards that considers all practical elements of contactless technology, customer handling, and social distancing protocols for check-in, boarding, and arrival.
Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, was established in 1989 and is based in London. In 2020, Skytrax launched the COVID-19 Airline Safety Ratings, providing independent, expert evaluation and certification of airline COVID-19 hygiene and safety measures, according to Vietnam+.
