Delta Airlines Upgrades Pre-flight Sanitation

passenger-practicing-social-distancing-on-delta-airlines — **Passenger staying virtually connected while practicing social distancing in flight. Photo Credit: Delta Airlines.**

Airlines and Aviation

Updated on 8 May 2020

Delta Airlines now sanitizes all flights departing all airports across its worldwide network. Before departure, crew use electrostatic sprayers to sanitize aircraft cabins. Launched on US-bound flights departing from Asia in February, the procedure has been extended systemwide.

In This Post

Electrostatic Spraying

Delta first started using electrostatic sprayers to sanitize U.S.-bound aircraft from Asia in February 2020.

As the pandemic started spreading to different parts of the world, the procedure was extended. And it is now employed systemwide.

Before passengers board flights, sanitation crews thoroughly clean aircraft cabins with electrostatic sprayers.

In addition to seats, seatback screens, armrests, and tray tables, sanitation crew disinfect doors, lavatories, and galleys.

Sanitation crews carry out a similar procedure in employee work and rest areas at airports.

The original post published on 11 April 2020 follows

Delta Airlines Initiates Social distancing

Delta Airlines’ social distancing policy attempts to protect airline employees and airline passengers from the coronavirus. The temporary measures complement long-term strategies already launched regarding food and beverage service and other measures.

Airline Industry and Coronavirus

The airline industry maintains that the chances of contracting coronavirus in flight are minimal.

According to an article published in Bloomberg, airplane passengers should not bother wearing face masks or gloves.

“The risk of catching a serious viral infection on an aircraft is low,” the article says. “The air supply to a modern airliner is very different from a movie theater or an office building. The air is a combination of fresh air and recirculated air, about half each. The recirculated air goes through filters of the exact same type that we use in surgical operating theaters. That supplied air is guaranteed to be 99.97% (or better) free of viruses and other particles. So the risk, if there is one, does not come from the supplied air. It comes from other people.”

Now just how reassuring is that? Considering that passengers are spending up to several hours in a crowded with with “other people”, just how safe are they?

Medical Volunteers Fly Free!

: Delta Connections aircraft preparing for landing; blue sky background; Delta Connection is a regional airline brand name for Delta Air Lines

Delta Airlines is offering eligible medical volunteers complementary round-trip travel to such hard-hit coronavirus hotspots as Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, and New York,

Launched in April, it will continue at least through June. It is in partnership with state and local governments.

The programme may be expanded as needed.

Delta Airlines Social Distancing Strategy Explained

delta-airlines-empty-middle-seat — **Middle seats are being blocked on Delta Airlines. Photo Credit: Delta AIrlines.**

Delta Airlines has announced a series of measures to promote social distancing, These measures will take place both in the airport terminal and aboard aircraft. They follow the current recommendations of health experts.

According to the temporary Delta Airlines social distancing policy, the airline will reduce the number of passengers on all flights.

Secondly, the airline will block middle seats on all flights. These seats will appear as “unavailable” on the airline’s booking website.

If passengers want to sit right next to family members or other travel companions,, they have two options. Either they can contact reservations before arriving at the airport. Or they can discuss this with an agent at the gate.

Next, the airline will suspend automatic upgrades. Instead, gate agents will process them at the gate. Consequently, they will be able to take physical distancing, aircraft weight, and balance restrictions into consideration.

These changes are temporary. They will go into effect on 13 April 2020. And they will remain in effect through 31 May 2020.

Long Term Cleanliness Standards

fogging-of-aircraft-interiors — Members of Delta’s line maintenance crew disinfect the surfaces of the cabin including tray tables, seat backs and in-flight entertainment screens in a Boeing 757 in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday, March 6, 2020. The sanitizing solution is the same solution used to sanitize hospitals nationwide. Photo Credit: Chris Rank for Rank Studios.

The new temporary social distancing moves complement steps that Delta Airlines had already taken to improve hygiene.

For example, the airline had already modified food and beverage service to reduce the number of “touch points” between passengers and flight attendants.

In addition, passengers now board aircraft in groups of 10. And they are reminded to keep their distance from other passengers.

After flights reach an altitude of 10,000 feet, flight attendants help passengers change seats when possible.

Finally, the airline has liberalized its rebooking policies.

Changing Seats

Cleaning-of-monitor — ***Elevated cleaning is measures are being instituted in the long run. Photo Credits: Delta Airlines.***

Why can’t passengers just sit wherever they want in the cabin? In fact, an aircraft needs to maintain a balanced distribution of weight.

Therefore, passengers need to sit within three rows of their assigned seat. So that is why Delta encourages passengers to discuss this with a flight attendant before changing seats.