Safe travels: protection and disinfection rules on board the aircraft

After a period full of restrictions, this summer we finally have the opportunity to travel to ideal holiday destinations. As you plan your itinerary, also consider how the spread of Covid-19 might affect your vacation. Traveling during a pandemic requires a more cautious approach, but with a little determination, you can significantly minimize the risk of infection. We will see how to do this below by following some protection rules.

Before boarding, as you surely know, you need to go through a security check process. This means you will come into contact with frequently touched surfaces and will be around many people. First of all, opt for online check-in before arriving at the airport. To protect yourself as effectively as possible, in addition to wearing a mask at all times, keep the following tips in mind:

• Maintain a distance of 2 meters between yourself and other passengers whenever possible.
• Limit contact with frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons, and door handles. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer immediately.
• Whenever possible, choose contactless handling of travel documents and payments.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Pay special attention to hygiene. It is particularly important to sanitize your hands after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not available, use a sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

The great unknown regarding air travel is the fact that you have no details about the health status of the passengers in your proximity. For this reason, the most effective option is prevention. Depending on the duration of the flight, consider changing your protective mask. Normally, the mask should be replaced every 4 hours, but if you notice it has become damp, use a new one.

Since large containers are not allowed on board aircraft, make sure you stock up on a bottle of hand and skin sanitizer. You can opt for a 40 ml gel, which will be sufficient for the duration of your trip.

In addition to this, take a pack of disinfecting wipes with you. After boarding, clean and disinfect the areas you will come into contact with: armrests, seat belts, the window, the tray table, and any other plastic or hard material elements. In case the seat is made of non-porous materials, you can also use a disinfecting wet wipe to sanitize it.

In an effort to create a safe environment for passengers, many airlines have implemented digital versions of menus. They are available online, through a dedicated application. Use this option if possible to avoid contact with in-flight magazines.

Before and after every snack you have during the flight, carefully disinfect your hands. Obviously, the same rule applies to using the airplane toilet.

Another way to eliminate the risk of infection with Covid-19 or other viruses is to turn on the ventilation above your seat. This recommendation is supported by a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine from Oxford University, which examined the risks of air travel during the pandemic. According to the researchers, it is recommended that the airflow be activated to improve travel comfort, air quality, and reduce virus transmission.

Before leaving for your trip, take a virtual tour of the Klintensiv e-shop to stock up on everything you need for effective hand and surface disinfection.