Global airline alliance Skyteam has enhanced its Skycare and Protect pledge with an array of new digital solutions and additional health and safety measures to “restore customer confidence in air travel”.
The alliance – which counts 19 members including Air France, Delta, and KLM – first introduced the alliance-wide Skycare and Protect pledge in June 2020 with 15 health and safety measures. Skyteam has added seven new measures in light of rapidly changing travel regulations, incorporating the following new features into the pledge:
- A Testing Labs Locator on member airlines’ websites to help customers find and book the right Covid-19 test with trusted providers in over 18,600 locations worldwide
- Providing partner airline Covid-19 policy details via a mini-site or dedicated section to give customers “a clear idea of what their journey will look like when flying on codeshare services or connecting between carriers”
- A travel requirement checker on all 19 member airlines’ websites
- Pre-trip messaging including operating carrier’s Covid-19 policies and reminders of current travel requirements for their destination
- Contactless boarding where operations permit to enable customers to self-scan their boarding passes at members’ hubs
- Revised boarding procedures to minimise contact between customers in gate areas and jet bridges and when boarding remotely by bus
- Enhanced onboard communication to remind customers of Covid-secure measures in-flight, such as mandatory face coverings, required etiquette and disembarking procedures
The alliance has also launched a video to provide more details on the travel journey:
Walter Cho, Chairman of the Skyteam Alliance, commented:
“Providing real-time digitized information and expanding health safety measures through SkyCare&Protect is another way SkyTeam airlines are making travel safer and more seamless. Customers can trust us to provide all the information they need, including how to find and book the right Covid test, while being reassured that aligned safety protocols are in place across their travel experience.”
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, added:
“Customers can travel safely and with peace of mind, thanks to our rigorous health and hygiene measures combined with innovative technology that provides all the information they need before they fly. Customers can connect across our partner airlines knowing that SkyCare&Protect is delivering the highest standards of personal health safety and wellbeing – just as they expect from Delta.”
Skyteam CEO, Kristin Colvile, also commented on the update:
“Numerous studies have proved the safety of flying during the pandemic and SkyTeam continues to find more ways to make it even safer. As air travel recovers, the enhanced SkyCare&Protect measures in place across our members create a trusted network for the millions of passengers we look forward to welcoming back on board.”
Airline alliance group Oneworld also recently enhanced its Covid-19 information portal, while London City airport launched a new passenger travel portal last week.
