Various security measures have also been incorporated in the cabin
After 9/11, the exercise of getting on a plane changed completely with much more rigorous controls and prohibitions such as carrying more than 100 milliliters of liquid. Now the outlook looks set to turn once again, although we still don't really know how.
There is an airline, however, that seems to be already installed in what could be the future of world flights: Emirates, the first to offer rapid tests to all its passengers. The method, tested for the first time on April 15 on a Dubai-Tunisia flight, consists of check the blood of each traveler , an analysis carried out by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport. The results were ready in ten minutes , according to the company.
"We are working on plans to expand the capabilities of these tests in the future and extend them to flights departing from other countries , which will allow us to provide immediate confirmation to Emirates passengers traveling to locations that require COVID-19 test certificates," said Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer.
MASKS DURING THE FLIGHT AND THERMAL SCANNERS, NEW MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE VIRUS
In addition to the adoption of tests on flights leaving the country, other measures that Emirates has already implemented include the adaptation of check-in and boarding procedures according to the new rules of social distancing. For this, they have installed protective barriers at each counter , as well as physical reminders of the distance that must be left between people, which are already in all the boarding, check-in and waiting areas of the Dubai airport. Likewise, at the entrance to the airport, thermal scanners , which check the temperature of everyone who accesses the premises.
On the other hand, gloves, masks and hand sanitizers have become mandatory for all employees, both on the ground and in the cabin. In addition, Emirates workers also carry disposable gowns over their uniforms, as well as a safety visor.
Passengers, for their part, must also wear their own masks and gloves, both when at the airport and on board the aircraft, and they will not be able to remove them for the duration of the flight . The company, following the distancing guidelines, already leaves a free seat between unknown people or different family groups.
There is still more: "Magazines and other printed reading materials will not be available , and although food and beverages will continue to be offered on board, the packaging and presentation will be modified to reduce contact during meal service and minimize the risk of interaction.
And they continue: " Hand luggage is not accepted currently on flights. Items allowed in the cabin are limited to laptops, bags, briefcases or baby items. All other items must be checked in."
Lastly, the company assures that all its planes pass through "improved" cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each of the trips. Is this the future of all flights?