As Singapore Airlines seeks to ramp up flying operations with the stabilisation of the COVID-19 situation, several enhanced health and safety measures have been introduced in order to inspire confidence among passengers who wish to resume their travel plans in a safe and healthy environment.
According to Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong, “These initiatives help to ensure that, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, our industry-leading health and safety standards remain an integral part of SIA’s world-class service promise. This allows our customers to travel with us with full confidence, knowing that we have taken the necessary steps to safeguard their well-being throughout their journey.”
Adjustments to the travel experience will cover aspects from preflight to arrival at your destination.
PREFLIGHT
Before your flight, you’ll be encouraged to check-in online. Using your SingaporeAir mobile app, you may generate your mobile boarding pass and access other features for a contactless journey. Note that passengers should check the travel restrictions and advisories of your destination prior to your flight. Passengers arriving into Singapore must also submit a health declaration, which can be completed up to 72 hours before your flight.
When you arrive at the airport for your flight, ensure that you have a mask on at all times. Safe distancing protocols will be put in place queue markers at the check-in desks. You may be required to complete a basic health assessment and to provide details of your travel history where necessary. All counter staff will be required to wear masks and adhere to safety standards as mandated by authorities. Temperature screening will also be deployed prior to immigration.
GROUND EXPERIENCE
For those visiting the SilverKris Lounge, note that a la carte meals will be provided instead of the usual buffet spread. Also, hardcopy literature will not be available, but you can access over 150 newspapers and magazines via the Singapore Airlines e-Library on the SingaporeAir mobile app for your reading pleasure.
BOARDING
As you proceed for your flight, you will receive a complimentary kit containing a face mask, hand sanitiser, and anti-bacterial wipes. The boarding process will also adhere to safe distancing protocols. Once onboard, the cabin crew will don face masks throughout the flight, as well as gloves during the meal service.
INFLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Note that the inflight food and beverage service has been modified to minimise contact between the cabin crew and passengers. Meal services have been suspended for all flights within South East Asia and to Mainland China. For these flights, snack bags will be provided instead. For all other long-haul flights, passengers in First and Business Class will enjoy a tray service instead of the usual table layout service. Favourites such as the signature satay and garlic bread will be progressively introduced from mid-Jun 2020, and the airline will look to reintroduce the course-by-course dining experience in due course.
Note that KrisShop will also be suspended, but you can continue to pre-order your items and receive them during your flight. Passengers are encouraged to toggle KrisWorld selections using your mobile devices via the SingaporeAir mobile app. Also, passengers can pre-download your favourite literature via the app as a substitute for hardcopy literature onboard.
UPON ARRIVAL
Upon arriving at your destination, continue to observe safe distancing protocols at baggage claim and at customs and immigration. Please be reminded that you may be required to complete further health declarations as required by the local authorities.
Note that at all phases of your journey with Singapore Airlines, expect enhanced hygiene standards as cleaning procedures have been stepped up significantly at all premises, from check-in desks, to lounges, and in aircraft cabins as well. In particular, common surfaces such as window shades, tray tables, handsets, IFE screens, lavatories, and galleys are all wiped down using strong disinfectant.
All items distributed, such as headphones, headrest covers, pillow covers, bedsheets and blankets, are all washed and replaced for every flight.
Taken together, all the aforementioned measures should create a safe environment for all passengers amidst this outbreak. Hopefully, when the situation improves, we should be able to gradually resume with the ground and inflight experience that passengers on Singapore Airlines are more familiar with. That being said, the safety of all passengers has and always been a top priority, and now more than ever, in the midst of this pandemic, these enhanced measures will continue to serve that aim.