Fly Well. New QF Covid procedures

[Princess Fiona]

Fly Well

Just released today. Update on what QF/JQ plan is for travel in the Covid era. Still a bit more detail to be fleshed out but they are handing out masks for passengers. Hand sanitizers available etc.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I'm waiting for the states to ease the travel restrictions.

Looks like WA, SA, NT, and Qld are in no rush to open the borders.

 

[defurax]

Looks like lounge reopening is on the cards:
"Temporary changes to Qantas Lounges, including increased physical distancing, hand sanitising stations, enhanced disinfection of surfaces and adjustments to food and drink service."

They might have to reduce guests allowance for WP/WP1.

 

[RooFlyer]

Some commentary:

Qantas to offer masks but no social distancing gaps on flights

Qantas is preparing for a return to more regular domestic flying with a range of new safety initiatives taking effect from June 12, including face masks for passengers and hand sanitising stations at departure gates and lounges.

The wellbeing improvements are designed to give passengers peace of mind when coronavirus restrictions ease, but will not extend to seats being blocked out for “social distancing” on flights.

Qantas medical director Dr Ian Hosegood said that social distancing was simply not practical.

...

“The actual risk of catching coronavirus on an aircraft is extremely low due to a combination of factors, including the cabin air filtration system, the fact people don’t sit face-to-face and the high backs of aircraft seats acting as a physical barrier,” Dr Hosegood said.

On board flights, passengers will be provided with face masks and encouraged but not forced to wear them; sanitising wipes will be available to wipe down tray tables and seats; the food and beverage service will be simplified and passengers urged to limit movement in the cabin.

(my bolding)

Looks like WA, SA, NT, and Qld are in no rush to open the borders.

Tas Premier just announced that he's not setting a date for travel into/out of Tas until 'Stage 2' shown to be OK. That starts in a month.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm waiting for the states to ease the travel restrictions.

Looks like WA, SA, NT, and Qld are in no rush to open the borders.

They will be forced to in some way, shape or form in the near future.

 

[Pushka]

They will be forced to in some way, shape or form in the near future.

I sure as heck hope so. Talk today of waiting until after Winter in SA. Good grief. We need to get out from under the doona and back into the sky so we can reconnect with clients in Melbourne.

I did buy some 95 masks from Bunnings the other day that can be worn for 8 hours and likely will be required for client interactions in Vic anyway so will get MrP to wear those. And instruct him on how to use them safely.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Looks like lounge reopening is on the cards:
"Temporary changes to Qantas Lounges, including increased physical distancing, hand sanitising stations, enhanced disinfection of surfaces and adjustments to food and drink service."

They might have to reduce guests allowance for WP/WP1.

I would imagine the capacity will be based on one person per 4 square metres. Also reductions/ banning guests, perhaps also enforce a time limit for access. Eg. No longer than 90 minutes prior to departure. I’d also imagine that WP/ WP1 access after a flight will be suspended.
Might not end up as horrible as I’m thinking, fingers crossed.

 

[Hvr]

What type of masks?

Basic paper ones that look pretty and hide ugly faces? Or effective ones such as N95/P2?

Will there be guidance on how to wear them properly and disposal bins? Or will they be dumped on the seat when people disembark?

 

[RooFlyer]

What type of masks?

Basic paper ones that look pretty and hide ugly faces? Or effective ones such as N95/P2?

Will there be guidance on how to wear them properly and disposal bins? Or will they be dumped on the seat when people disembark?

I got the impression that they will be the disposable, surgical type masks, and handed out on boarding, at the hand sanitiser station. Maybe proper wearing will become part of the safety briefing . How to put the surgical mask on; how to put the oxygen mask on.

 

[oz_mark]

I wonder what

Sequenced boarding and disembarkation to minimise crowding.

will mean in practice.

 

[Melburnian1]

I got the impression that they will be the disposable, surgical type masks, and handed out on boarding, at the hand sanitiser station. Maybe proper wearing will become part of the safety briefing . How to put the surgical mask on; how to put the oxygen mask on.

The media release says these won't be compulsory.

 

[flydoc]

Overall not unexpected strategies, some long overdue (enhanced surface cleaning, widespread hand sanitiser stations)

Will be interesting to see the mask-wearing takeup rate. As has been noted in other threads, it’s historically it’s not part of the travelling culture in Australia. And issues of inadvertent facial touching when donning, doffing and while wearing.

Also struggling to see the justification for physical distancing in the lounge but not in the air. “Simply not practical” or Economic imperative? Note that NSW Transport plans to try and cap the numbers of people travelling on its vehicles

Busy Sydney train stations could be closed under strict new social-distancing crackdown, Government warns

The NSW Government says police will enforce social-distancing on Sydney public transport as health authorities confirm a new coronavirus death, taking Australia's total to 99.

www.abc.net.au

Oh, and “The food and beverage service will be simplified” - euphemism for....?

 

[Melburnian1]

...Oh, and “The food and beverage service will be simplified” - euphemism for....?

Will airlines use COVID-19 as an excuse to slip some cost saving measures in permanently?

From memory, CX may have been the pioneer in this regard.

 

[jakeseven7]

Will airlines use COVID-19 as an excuse to slip some cost saving measures in permanently?

From memory, CX may have been the pioneer in this regard.

The market will dictate this, like everything.

If everyone cuts, then that is it.

If someone breaks away, offers more and passengers and profit follow, then the market will follow.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When domestic/international flights resume I wonder if we will see the suspension of lounge access based on status? That might be an effective way to reduce crowding and achieve social distancing.

 

[Pushka]

When domestic/international flights resume I wonder if we will see the suspension of lounge access based on status? That might be an effective way to reduce crowding and achieve social distancing.

So who would you let in? Only J passengers?

 

[p--and--t]

Maybe there will be more room in the lounges for people who actually bought and paid for a lounge membership, than those who gained it by status chasing [ducks for cover awaiting tirade of responses]

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Maybe there will be more room in the lounges for people who actually bought and paid for a lounge membership, than those who gained it by status chasing [ducks for cover]

While I realise your comment is tongue in cheek the passengers who access lounges based on status contribute more to the airline's bottom line than those who pay an annual fee to enter said premises.
And healthy bottom lines are what all industries are looking for at this moment in time.

 

[p--and--t]

While I realise your comment is tongue in cheek the passengers who access lounges based on status contribute more to the airline's bottom line than those who pay an annual fee to enter said premises.
And healthy bottom lines are what all industries are looking for at this moment in time.

No argument with your statement.

However, in principle along the way there has been a lack of acknowledgement there is a difference between buying outright a service (that should be guaranteed delivery) as opposed to a granted concessional freebie side benefit.

 

[eminere]

Emirates: Fly better
Cathay Pacific: Life well travelled
Qantas: Fly well