04/05/2020
AC To Become “First Carrier In Americas” To Perform Pre-Flight Temperature Checks:
Air Canada has introduced a series of measures through its new CleanCare+ program aimed at increasing the health and safety of its passengers and crew, including performing mandatory pre-flight customer temperature checks. It says it will be the first carrier in the Americas to check passengers' temperature before boarding.
"While we are eager to see the reopening of economies and the restart of commercial aviation, the safety of our customers and employees is Air Canada's core value and we aim to establish the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and attention to public health guidelines," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, in a press release.
"We have been a leader in progressively introducing new measures in response to COVID-19, such as introducing Personal Protective Equipment for our employees and being the first North American carrier to require face coverings for customers. We are now the first airline in the Americas to administer pre-flight temperature checks system-wide.
Rovinescu continued: "Coupled with other new safety practices we implemented earlier in response to COVID-19, Air Canada CleanCare+ will provide travellers with the confidence that they can book and fly safely with Air Canada as they consider their travel plans in the current environment."
Air Canada says its CleanCare+ program will introduce the following measures by 15MAY:
Customers travelling on Air Canada flights will be subject to an infra-red temperature check at all airports. The non-invasive procedure will complement the existing government-mandated health questionnaire currently completed by all travellers to determine their fitness to fly. Customers who are deemed unfit to travel will be rebooked at no cost but be required to obtain medical clearance prior to travel.
To promote more personal space in Economy Class aboard its aircraft, Air Canada will automatically block the sale of adjacent seats and cap the total number of seats sold for each flight. As a result, no customer in Economy Class will be required to sit immediately adjacent to another, unless they are required to do so to assist another customer with whom they are travelling. This policy will remain in effect until at least 30JUN, 2020.
Air Canada will begin distributing care kits containing hand sanitizers and other health items to all customers.
In addition to already using hospital-grade disinfectant and "specialized techniques" to maintain cabin cleanliness, Air Canada says it will use electrostatic sprayers to disinfect cabin interiors.
Prior to CleanCare+, Air Canada had already taken a number of measures in response to COVID-19. These will remain in effect and include:
Requiring customers to wear face coverings during their travel, including at check-in, during boarding and as directed while onboard its aircraft.
Protocols for the use of Personal Protective Equipment by employees, including face shields and coverings, gloves and gowns by in-flight crew, along with other safety measures to encourage physical distancing, such as a revised boarding procedure and a new onboard service program.
To reduce personal interactions and promote physical distancing, Air Canada has adapted its check-in procedures. This includes making available on its self-serve web and mobile check-in and airport kiosk platforms government entry requirements, the mandatory health questionnaire and other relevant information.
Temporary adjustments to on-board service such as individual water bottles instead of bar service offerings and the removal of pillows and blankets. Air Canada enRoute and other non-safety literature have been removed from all seatback pockets.
Air Canada partnered with a third-party company that monitors infectious diseases all over the world using Artificial Intelligence and other predictive tools and provides the company with information in real-time to ensure it is equipped to make appropriate and timely decisions.
For customers who have already purchased tickets and are looking to change their travel, Air Canada has revised its booking policies so there is no change or cancellation fee for existing or new bookings. For customers whose flights have been cancelled due to the impacts of COVID-19, they can retain the unused amount of their ticket for up to 24 months.
For more information on Air Canada's pandemic response, including information about policies and scheduling visit the Air Canada update page at:
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html #/qa
COVID-19 Updates