Provide a safe, sanitary operating environment for passengers and crew.
Considerations
Adjust the boarding process. To the extent possible, and consistent with weight and balance considerations, the boarding and disembarking of passengers should be conducted in ways that reduce the likelihood of passengers passing in close proximity to each other.
Seat assignment processes. When needed, seats should be assigned for adequate physical distancing between passengers. Airlines should allow for separated seating arrangements when occupancy allows it. Passengers should also be encouraged to stay in the assigned seat as much as possible.
Limit interaction on board. Passengers should be encouraged to travel as lightly as possible with all luggage checked-in except small hand luggage that fit under the seat. Newspapers and magazines should be removed. The size and quantity of duty-free sales may also be temporarily limited.
- Limit or suspend food and beverage service. Food and beverage service should be limited or suspended on short-haul flights or should be considered to be dispensed in sealed, pre-packaged containers.
- The use of non-essential in-flight supplies, such as blankets and pillows, should be reduced to minimize the risk of cross infection.
- Restrict lavatory access. When possible, one lavatory should be designated for crew use only, provided sufficient lavatories remain available for passenger use without fostering congregation by passengers waiting to use a lavatory. Passengers should be informed that closing the lavatory lid before flushing is an effective method to mitigate the spreading of potentially infectious particles.
- Also, to the extent practicable depending on the aircraft, passengers should use a designated lavatory based on seat assignment to limit passenger movement in flight, which reduces exposure to other passengers.
- Crew protection measures. Sharing of safety equipment used for safety demonstrations should be prohibited. Crew members should be instructed to provide service only to specific sections of the cabin. Additional means of protection, for instance plastic curtains or Plexiglas panels during the boarding process (to be removed once boarding is completed), should be explored.
Note.- The following elements concerning disinfection contain the latest joint
aircraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommendations currently
available. Users of this guidance should note that:
- These recommendations are based on evolving circumstances and technology.
- While every attempt was made to provide common recommendations for disinfectants usage on aeroplanes, there are differences between the products manufactured by each aircraft OEM. It is strongly recommended that the operator is familiar with OEM guidance and consults the OEM for any questions specific to that airframe.
- The intent of these guidelines is to provide operators with recommendations that are aligned with the aircraft product. It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the disinfectants are used per the manufacturer's instructions, that proper protection is employed by those using the disinfectant and that their use is in alignment with health organizations' recommendations for efficacy and in accordance with the label instructions of the disinfectant.
