Iberia announced on Wednesday their summer 2020 flight program as well as stringent new health and hygiene protocols. The carrier’s summer schedule will focus on Spain and Europe offering over 50 short and medium-haul destinations.
Yesterday (July 1st, 2020), the Iberia Group announced their summer 2020 flight program which focuses on domestic Spanish and European destinations. The carrier will offer flights to over 50 Spanish and European cities and has implemented a stringent set of health and hygiene measures for the protection of guests and team members. Some of the protocols include the disinfection of aircraft cabins and the implementation of boarding by rows to limit contact. Iberia will also allow customers to check hand luggage free of charge. The carrier and its Iberia Express subsidiary were early adopters of EASA and ECDC recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Upon check-in, Iberia guests must sign a Declaration of Health attesting that do not have COVID-19 symptoms, have not been diagnosed with the disease and have not been in contact with an infected person. Once onboard, customers must also complete a Health Tracking Form as well as a Health Questionnaire. To minimize contact, customers are further reminded to obtain boarding passes prior to arriving at the airport by downloading them to their phones.
At the airport all commonly touched surfaces are regularly disinfected, barriers have been installed at check-in counters and queues have been redesigned to ensure social distancing. Iberia recommends that customers check their luggage to avoid unnecessary movements on the aircraft and hand luggage cannot exceed 56 x 40 x 25 cm or 10 kg in Economy Class. Long Haul Business Class guests are permitted to carry on two pieces of luggage up to 14 kg. As previously mentioned, the airline will now board passengers by rows, starting from the rear of the aircraft. All Iberia guests over the age of six must now wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth for the duration of their flights, except while eating, and masks must be regularly changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Aircraft cabins are regularly cleaned and disinfected prior to each flight and all Iberia aircraft feature HEPA filters which eliminate 99.9% of airborne bacteria and viruses, as the cabin air is replaced every 2-3 minutes.
Passengers will also be provided with disinfectant wipes and lavatories will be provisioned with extra supplies of hand washing soap. Onboard food service has been simplified and customers will receive single-use utensils. On long-haul flights, blankets and pillows are disinfected and sealed before each use and the carrier has suspended duty-free sales and the distribution of periodicals. Additionally, Iberia crew members will be outfitted with PPE and have also undergone specific health and hygiene training which will allow them to detect and isolate any guest showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Source: Iberia