Today [MAY 9] Air France says it will “progressively implement temperature checks on departure for all its flights.”

The move takes effect from Monday May 11 which is the day when both Air France and KLM passengers must wear a face mask.

The airline says “these systematic checks will be carried out with contactless infrared thermometers.”

Travellers with a body temperature  below 38 degrees centigrade will be allowed to travel.

Customers with a higher reading “may be denied boarding and their reservations will be changed at no extra charge to a flight at a later date.”

It’s important to note that it is likely, as we saw with the introduction of face masks,  KLM will follow Air France with temperature checks.

Air France to make face masks mandatory

The airline said “Customers will be notified of these new measures via all communication channels (e-mail, sms, websites) prior to their departure.Air France also summarised the different measures it is taking to reassure passengers.”

Air France was also keen to reiterate the measures already taken to reassure passengers, which include:

  • The compulsory wearing of masks for all crew members and agents in contact with customers,
  • The modification of customer channels at the airport, with the application of physical distancing measures throughout the airport and the installation, where possible, of Plexiglas protection screens at airports,
  • The implementation of physical distancing on board where possible. On almost all flights, the current low load factors make it possible to separate customers as required. In cases where this is not possible, requiring all passengers and crew to wear masks ensures adequate health protection.
  • The reinforcement of daily aircraft cleaning procedures, with the disinfection of all surfaces in contact with customers such as armrests, tables and screens,
  • The introduction of a specific procedure for disinfecting aircraft by spraying an approved virucidal product with an effective duration of ten days,
  • Adapting in-flight service to limit interaction between customers and crew members. On domestic flights and short flights in Europe, meal and beverage services have been suspended. On long-haul flights, cabin service is limited and preference is given to individually wrapped products.

“In addition, the air in the cabin is renewed every three minutes. The air recycling system on board Air France aircraft is equipped with “High Efficiency Particulate Air” or HEPA filters, identical to those used in hospital operating theatres. These filters extract more than 99.99 per cent of the smallest viruses, including those no larger than 0.01 micrometres, thus ensuring that cabin air complies with quality standards. Coronavirus type viruses, ranging in size from 0.08 to 0.16 micrometres, are filtered through the HEPA filters.”

airfrance.com