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easyJet Virgin Atlantic staff new opportunity
Airlines NewsCoronavirusTravel

EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic Offer a New Opportunity for Their Staff

by Olivia Newman
written by Olivia Newman

With Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet having an overflow of workers, the airlines have found a way for their employees to help during the pandemic by creating a new opportunity for those who cannot currently work.

easyJet Virgin Atlantic staff new opportunity

A distant memory | © Viktor Forgacs via Unsplash

The Impact of the Travel Ban

With coronavirus limiting travel, the airlines have been looking at ways they can employ their staff during the current crisis. Many EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic employees are furloughed with no set date of when they can return back to work.

Last year, the majority of airports had to take action to reduce individuals from travelling. Many planes were grounded with little news of when they would be able to get back in the air again. Lockdowns were introduced throughout the world and people were prohibited to travel. The latest news from EasyJet is that they have cancelled all their flights until late March, so there is an abundance of people waiting in the wings for work. 

The pandemic has hit the aviation industry hard, but the news of the COVID-19 vaccines has given airlines some hope that they will be back off the ground again soon. Progress is being made throughout the world. However, there is still a long way to go with vaccination rollout. EasyJet is not the only one to change their usual flying schedule, with Norwegian announcing the halt of their long-haul flights too.

The Vaccine Rollout

Therefore, it makes sense that airlines would want the vaccines rolled out as quickly as possible. It is in EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic’s best interest to offer this opportunity, as people could eventually start boarding their planes again.

The two British airlines have offered to sign up those who are not currently working to distribute vaccines across the United Kingdom. Cabin crew members are considered ideal for the role, as many employees have previously received first-aid training.

The National Health Service Hire EasyJet

New role EasyJet

Up in the Air | © Andy Holmes via Unsplash

EasyJet explained that they will train cabin crew members to administer the vaccines to help the UK get back on track with the fight against the virus. The furloughed members have been offered the chance to battle the pandemic firsthand. It is likely that most of the staff will be active participants in administrating doses. The majority of employees helped out the healthcare service when coronavirus first hit early on in 2020. EasyJet workers volunteered last year to help support hospitals and work as National Health Service responders.

Additionally, pilots and cabin crew staff have aided the wellbeing of those on the frontline in UK hospitals too. Virgin Atlantic also chose to join the cause in helping the NHS by offering its employees a new opportunity. Staff members will be trained under a fast-track scheme and hired to help as soon as possible.

Hopefully it will not be long before airlines, such as EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic, can start taking off again. Let us know what you think of the news below!

Glamping in Changi Airport
AirportsCoronavirusPassenger ExperienceTravel

Singapore’s Changi Airport Introduces A New Way To Travel

by Olivia Newman
written by Olivia Newman

Perhaps the most light-hearted news to enter the aviation sector during these troubling times was the announcement about Singapore’s recent addition to its Changi Airport – glamping – a new way to travel.

Changi’s Airport Always Stands Out

Singapore’s airport has always been considered one of the best in the world, so it is unsurprising that they are catering for a service that is representative of the current crisis happening in the world. Visitors can now stay in the airport overnight in a glamping site designed for those that yearn for a holiday during the limitations of the coronavirus pandemic – the unique addition provides visitors with a new way to travel.

Jewel Changi Airport  | © Siti Hawa

With its biophilic design, Changi has always been one to push the limits of airport architecture. It is already home to floating art, a waterfall and walls embellished with plants and foliage. Normally, the forest only mesmerises travellers enjoying a meal, waiting for a connecting flight or awaiting their departures from the airport.

A New Way to Travel

However, as restrictions tighten and travelling gets more and more difficult, Singapore have identified a niche in holiday opportunities – a way to roam, without the need to actually travel far. Many have struggled this year with the limitations on where they can go and the reduction of family holidays and leisurely trips. Many people have had to cancel getaways, stay in their native country and be constrained to their own homes. For those that love to fly routinely, the pandemic has kept them to the ground.

Nevertheless, with glamping at Changi, guests have the chance to travel, without the travel. Thus, keeping everyone safe, while still having the opportunity to experience something a little different.

What to Expect from Changi’s New Way to Travel

If you have not heard the term before, glamping is a fairly new way of traveling. Glamping incorporates the traditional aspects of camping, but with a twist. The glamping service upgrades tents to yurts or luxurious spaces and usually eliminates the threat of bad weather or mosquitos.

The yurts at Changi can hold up to five people and are available during the day. Passengers can enjoy a picnic in the beautiful airport. Alternatively, visitors can opt for an overnight stay and enjoy an evening and a sunrise in the yurts with a picturesque view of the biggest indoor waterfall in the world – the Rain Vortex.

A new way to travel

A Glamping Yurt in Changi Airport | © Siti Hawa

Surrounded by a forest, guests are taken away from the duty-free shops and cafes and transported to a land of shrubbery and natural wonder. There are two places to glamp at the airport – on the first and the fifth floors – both of which offer different views and experiences. The latter even offers hiking trails to those that want to venture through the airport. Passengers can enjoy an encounter that resembles a real expedition.

Unfortunately for some, glamping at Changi still has not been able to shed the shared facilities factor that accompanies real camping and the airport only offers the public toilets and showers to those that need to use them. However, at one of the best airports in the world, it is unlikely that the bathrooms will resemble those that reside at regular campsites. Also, the glamping ticket provides discounts for shops in the airport, so individuals can indulge in a little retail therapy like they normally would during a well-earned rest.

The Cost of a Changi Sleepover

On weekends, guests can expect to pay around S$360.00 a night. As a result, the cost is indicative of the luxurious glamping experience they will receive. The airport provides check in and check out times and free Wi-Fi. Also, for additional costs, groups can pay for private film screenings and picnics.

With another innovative and immersive idea under their belts, Changi yet again position themselves as the thought leaders in the aviation field and provide positivity to people in uncertain times. The only question that comes to mind is – what will the airport create next? Let us know your predictions below!

Airlines NewsAviation NewsCoronavirusPassenger ExperienceTravel

Finnair Introduces One-Way Fares for Flights in Europe

by Chantal Welch
written by Chantal Welch

Finnair is introducing a new, one-way fare structure for its Intra-Europe and domestic flights, starting this week.  The competitive one-way fares give customers more choice and flexibility during this very uncertain time.

Finnair Plane in Flight

Finnair Plane in Flight © Finnair

Financial Protection for Passengers

As a result of the pandemic, the aviation industry has seen a steep decline in passenger numbers. Travel restrictions, border closures, and lockdowns have all played a part in keeping people away from airports. Plus passenger confidence is at an all-time low, due to fears of contracting COVID-19 whilst travelling.

All passengers want flexibility and financial guarantees when they book travel, but even more so now. There have been many reported cases of passengers struggling to get refunds from well-known airlines. Millions of flights were grounded in 2020, leaving many people fighting for refunds which they were entitled to under airline refund policies. The airlines’ actions of delaying and refusing refunds for cancelled flights due to lockdown, has led to a decline in customer confidence and satisfaction.

Passenger © Jeshoots via Unsplash

Aviation Adopts New Policies for Passengers

For the aviation industry and airline brands, now is the time to stay top of customers’ minds. Their actions during the pandemic will impact future bookings and customer trust. The airlines must remain customer-focused and flexible, to aid their recovery.

In response to COVID-19, airlines around the world are adopting different policies when it comes to allowing amendments and cancellations to tickets bought now for future travel. For passengers, this gesture of offering flexibility is not only appreciated, but expected.

Airport information boards © Chuttersnap via Unsplash

Finnair’s Flexible Fares

Finnair is an airline keen to offer passengers peace of mind. It has continued its flexible bookings policy for bookings made latest on 31 August 2021. It understands that its customers want flexibility and financial protection.

Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair said:

“We want to offer our customers more choice and flexibility, and removing the complexity of return fare rules makes buying simpler and more transparent. Now the best fare levels will be available for all customers regardless of the length of stay in the destination. This is something our customers have wished for.”

Finnair A350 © Wiki Commons

Finnair’s introduction of a one-way fare structure for its intra-Europe and domestic flights this week provides passengers with more choice and flexibility. Finnair anticipates demand for air travel will continue to grow and they are ready to respond.

Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair said:

“We expect travel demand to gradually pick up towards and during the summer, and we will increase our offering accordingly. One-way pricing is one way of stimulating demand and making it easier to plan travels in this situation.”

What are your thoughts on Finnair’s one-way fares? Should other airlines be doing the same? Let us know in the comments below

AnalysisCoronavirusTravel

Air Travel Remains Restrictive in the New Year

by Ajay Prakash
written by Ajay Prakash

If you were planning a vacation this winter to any sunny locations, you might have had to drop the idea. With COVID19 resurfacing in several European countries and still not subsiding in the United States, there is little hope of revival of air travel in the immediate new-year (2021).

IATA’s Travel Center has published a COVID19 Travel Restrictions Map. The interactive map is for the benefit of passengers planning to travel to countries during the pandemic period. One may observe that the majority of countries have partial restrictions in place. These countries so far have permitted travel for their own citizens only.

IATA COVID19 Map – © IATA TravelCenter

Is There Any Relation Between COVID19 infections and Air Travel Restrictions?

There is no correlation between COVID19 infections and the travel restrictions imposed by governments. For instance, Australia had one of the lowest COVID19 infections but has banned international travel all through 2021. Similarly, in India, the infections were less than 20 percent compared to June-July last year, but a ban on international flights has been extended all through January with no clear date of lifting the ban. The uncertainty in policymaking is also evident when India banned flights from the UK ten days ago and re-opened a week later without providing any plausible reason. Countries appear to be afraid of ‘importing’ COVID. Lastly, the governments review these travel restrictions daily, which only adds to the uncertainty.

IATA Data Showed No Improvement in Passenger Traffic in November 2020

IATA November Passenger Data Summary © IATA

The latest data released on 7 January by IATA for November passenger traffic showed no improvement over October. The revenues per kilometer (RPK) are down seventy percent (70%) compared to the same period in 2019. The passenger load factors are still fifty-eight percent (58%), which has not shown any improvement over the previous months.

IATA Blasts Canada’s New Quarantine Rule

IATA has expressed ‘frustration’ at the new travel restrictions imposed earlier this week by the Canadian government. A negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before the flight is needed and then followed by a fourteen (14) day quarantine on arrival in the country. IATA called this requirement “callous and impractical” and “worst of both worlds.”

In its latest estimates, the Association has pointed out that the aviation sector’s direct GDP contribution to Canada’s economy has dropped by US$10.39 billion in 2020 vs. 2019, placing some 146,000 Canadian jobs at risk.

IATA’s press release statement sums up the mood.

We need to start 2021 by taking steps to safely live with COVID-19. What is the point of implementing testing if it does not result in a lifting of border closures nor quarantine requirements? After nine-months of closed borders and confinement, we cannot afford to move in the wrong direction with the disastrous implementation of a counter-productive testing policy.”

We look forward to your views. Write to us in the comments section below and let us know – Are you hoping to fly this year?

AirportsAviation NewsCoronavirusTravel

England and Scotland will require overseas arrivals to present negative COVID-19 tests prior to travel

by Jamie Wills
written by Jamie Wills

All international arrivals into England and Scotland must present a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel as of next week. The new rules were announced by the UK and Scottish governments on 8 January.

©Prasesh Shiwakoti

What the new regulations mean

The new regulations apply to passengers arriving by plane, train or boat, regardless of whether the point of departure has a ‘travel corridor’ with the UK. Tests must have been conducted 72 hours prior to departure.

Cabin crew, hauliers, and children under the age of 11 are exempt.

Arriving passengers must also complete a locator form detailing their travel itinerary and address whilst in the country, with a £500 fine applicable to those who fail to do so. Those travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are exempt from this requirement.

Moves are response to COVID – and criticism

The move comes as the UK continues to suffer some of its highest infection rates since the beginning of the pandemic. The country’s government has been heavily criticised for a perceived slow introduction of COVID restrictions, including at its borders.

©Jeshoots.com

In comparison to the UK, China and Taiwan have been requiring pre-departure COVID tests since July 2020. Many nations have have also utilised mass testing on arrival and mandatory quarantine centres, moves the UK has chosen to forego. The country has instead relied on self-compliance and spot checks to self-isolation rules, with exemptions for ‘high value’ businesspeople and those from travel corridor countries.

In a statement released by the Department of Transport, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We already have significant measures in place to prevent imported cases of COVID-19, but with new strains of the virus developing internationally we must take further precautions.

Taken together with the existing mandatory self-isolation period for passengers returning from high-risk countries, pre-departure tests will provide a further line of defence – helping us control the virus as we roll out the vaccine at pace over the coming weeks.

John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow, Britain’s largest airport, responded to the regulations announcement:

Having called for the introduction of pre-departure testing since last April, we support this development which ensures passengers can continue to travel safely. The Government must now prioritise the creation of a common international standard of testing that would introduce a global process to protect confidence in future travel.

What are your thoughts on this announcement? Let us know below! 

Airlines NewsAviation NewsCoronavirus

Ryanair December Passenger Numbers Drop 83% Year-on-year

by Jamie Wills
written by Jamie Wills

Ryanair saw year-on-year passenger numbers for December fall by 83%, according to figures released by the company on 5 January.

 

The Decline in Detail…

December 2020 brought 1.9 million passengers to the Irish budget airline. This compares to 11.2 million for the same period in 2019. The company said it ran 22% of its normal schedule during the time, with a load factor of 73%.

 

The data completed a hard year for Ryanair. Numbers released at the same time showed a rolling 2020 passenger total of 52.1 million, at a load factor of 81%, which amounted to a 66% decline on the 152.4 million flyers in 2019.

Ryanair currently lists 235 destinations, over 200 of which are in Europe, which has been described by the WHO as the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

The company, run by outspoken CEO Michael O’Leary, has also courted controversy this week with an advert suggesting ‘jab and go’ travel. The message has been seen as promoting irresponsible travel during the pandemic and led to the UK’s Advertising and Standards Authority receiving over 1600 complaints.

 

In better news, Ryanair reported 92% of December flights arrived on time; Some positive news in what has been a dark year for the industry.

What’s your thoigjts on returning to the sky in 2021? Let us know in the comments below!

Singapore International Airlines Airbus A380
Airlines NewsAviation NewsCoronavirusTravel

Singapore Airlines Starts To Increase Passenger Capacity

by Jason Appleby
written by Jason Appleby

Singapore Airlines has announced a new flight schedule for services operated by the SIA group.

The changes have been made for services between November 2020 to January 2021. This also includes direct flights between Singapore and San Francisco being reinstated.

Singapore Airlines has 12 A380s currently in their fleet. ©WikiCommons

 

SIA restarts direct flights to San Francisco

SIA has announced that as of 15 December, direct flights between Singapore and San Francisco will start again. These direct flights will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The flights are scheduled to leave Singapore Changi Airport at 18:40 and arrive at San Francisco at 17:20, approximately 14 hours and 40 minutes of flying time. It is also reported that flights between San Francisco and Nagoya, Japan, will start again in December.

The SIA Group consists of 3 groups, Singapore International Airlines (SIA), SilkAir and Scoot. Flight numbers are being increased to Manila, Perth and Kuala Lumpur operated by SIA and SilkAir. However, Scoot would be suspending their operations in that region.

On the flip side, SIA and SilkAir will be suspending their flights to Penang, Surabaya and Taipei whilst Scoot will increase their number of flights to them areas. These flights are subject to regulatory approvals but if successful, will commence between November and December 2020.

SIA commented:

The adjustment of services between SIA, SilkAir, and Scoot is the result of a detailed review to determine which airlines in the SIA Group portfolio are best suited to meet evolving customer and cargo demand.

 

Singapore International Airlines Airbus A380

Singapore International Airlines Airbus A380 © Singapore Airlines

Across the world, airlines are starting to slowly recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Singapore Airlines passenger capacity is now increasing, and they are looking to reinstate more services as restrictions ease. As well as many other airlines, SIA is experiencing high demand for cargo operations around the world.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

British Airways Fleet
Airlines NewsAviation NewsCoronavirus

American Airlines, British Airways and Oneworld 3-Test COVID-19 Trial

by Travel Radar
written by Travel Radar

On 17 November, United Airlines flew the first trans-Atlantic COVID-19 free flight.  Every passenger on the flight had tested negative for the virus before boarding the plane.  The same day American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld announced a 3-test COVID-19 trial.  This trial will be undertaken on selected flights between London and New York. It will start on 25 November and run until mid-December.

The Aim of the 3-Test COVID-19  Trial

Airlines around the world opposed the introduction of quarantine for arrivals from specific countries.  They predicted this would cause a dramatic drop in passenger numbers.  They were right.  Quarantine is a deterrent but many governments believe this is the only way to control the spread of the virus. American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld are working together to demonstrate that an effective COVID-19 testing programme can play an essential role in safely restarting travel.  Oneworld is an alliance of 13 world-class airlines.

Oneworld Livery on a Finnair Plane

Oneworld Livery on a Finnair Plane © Jacques Panas via flickr

The reason governments are reluctant to replace quarantine with a testing regime relates to pre-flight only testing regimes.  They just prove a passenger did not have the virus when they boarded a flight.  This new trial will involve three tests for each passenger.  It will provide a way to avoid quarantine rather than replacing it.

The Implementation of the 3-Test COVID-19  Trial

A task force of airline representatives and independent medical experts will oversee the trial. American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld will closely monitor customer participation. The airlines will share the data they obtain from this trial with the UK and US Governments.

This optional COVID-19 medical-based testing trial will be available on selected flights between the United States and London Heathrow. Eligible passengers booked on those flights will be offered free tests. One will be the American Airlines flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to London Heathrow. And the British Airways flights New York to London Heathrow and Los Angeles to London Heathrow.

American Airlines Part of the Oneworld Alliance

American Airlines Part of oneworld © Sébastien Mortier via flickr

The 3-Test Covid-19 Procedure

American Airlines and British Airways will contact eligible customers booked on the flights in the trial. They will give them information regarding the process involved in volunteering. Every customer who agrees to take part will take three tests. They will do the first test at home 72 hours before departure. Passengers from America will do an RT-PCR test provided by LetsGetChecked. They will take a nasal sample supervised by a medical professional via an internet link . Customers who test positive must reschedule or cancel their flight.

British Airways Airbus A350

British Airways Airbus A350 © British Airways

After landing at London Heathrow, participants will have a second test at the airport. It will be the LAMP test, provided by Collinson. A medical professional will collect a nasal sample. After passengers have completed the second test they will be given a kit for a third test. They can do this test at home.

What a 3-Test COVID-19 Trial Aims to Achieve

The three-test approach is designed to prove the passenger did not contract COVID-19 while travelling. It will also provide data about effective and practical testing intervals. The third test should confirm the results of the first two tests.

American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld do not intend to promote the introduction of a 3-test regime. The aim is to prove that one or two tests are enough to resume safe air travel.

Wind Farm
AnalysisAviation NewsCoronavirus

FLIGHTPLAN Event Highlights Passenger Concerns Regarding Sustainability

by Travel Radar
written by Travel Radar

In November 2020, FLIGHTPLAN 2, a large broadcast event staged by Inmarsat Aviation, highlighted passenger concerns about the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability.  High carbon emissions generated by air traffic have been a cause of general consternation.  Aviation experts made it clear that the COVID-19 pandemic had not lessened commitment to sustainability in both the long term and the short term.

Has COVID-19 Impacted on Long Term Programmes Towards Sustainability?

The short answer is no the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted on a long term commitment to sustainability.  In some cases, programmes are accelerated due to the pause in air traffic.  Early retirement of old, inefficient aircraft such as the Airbus A380 is an example.  The Airbus A220-300 and A350-900, purpose-built for efficiency, are popular replacements.  Despite the crisis, shareholders have agreed to the purchase of new aircraft.

Air France Airbus A350

Air France Airbus A350 © Airbus SAS via Air France

Some airlines are already committed to Corsia a Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.  Corsia is a United Nations deal intended to help post-2020international flights achieve carbon neutrality.  Commitment to the programme is voluntary.  It only applies to international flights.  Airlines will report annual emissions greater than 10,000 tonnes of CO2.  Corsia will calculate the number of offset credits required.  The airlines will use these credits to support projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, for example, wind farms.  Budget constraints due to COVID-19 may delay commitment by some airlines but, hopefully, this project will be a success in the long term.

Research and development in non-fossil based fuels will continue with electricity and hydrogen the leaders in this field.  Technology is the key to short-term sustainability projects.

How Has COVID-19 Affected Short Term Sustainability Programmes?

The answer to this question is not so straightforward due to budget restraints as a result of the pandemic.  Technology is the key to short term improvements in fuel efficiency – a primary requirement for both economic and environmental reasons.  Data analytics and efficient hardware mean fuel savings with software updates.  Promising technologies that will improve efficiency are already undergoing tests.  The Eco Demonstrator Programme tests new technologies at full scale to ensure they will be safe when put into practice.

Eco Demonstrator Programme

Eco Demonstrator Programme © Inmarsat Aviation

In the short term, operational efficiencies will be a priority. An increase in the use of real-time data exchanges, for example, between an aircraft and Air Traffic Control, will enable better management of flight trajectories.  Air traffic controllers can then optimise routes which will result in fuel savings.  Inmarsat is developing Iris, a satellite communication system to replace terrestrial communications.  They were nearing capacity before the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays and cancellations were frequent due to heavy air traffic.  Iris will facilitate direct communication leading to greener travel through the optimisation of the routing of air traffic.

Iris System

Iris System © Inmarsat Aviation

Airlines Should Demonstrate a Commitment to Sustainability

Surveys have shown that travellers do care about sustainability.  They will pay more for services with a good record in this area.  Airlines that take this on board and share their concerns and record regarding environmental issues will attract more customers.  Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines both report in detail to their customers about the measures they are taking towards sustainability.

When Air France agreed to a bail-out with the French government, the terms included a commitment to the reduction of carbon emissions.  In the short term, the airline agreed not to operate short-haul domestic flights on high-speed train routes of journeys of 2 hours 30 minutes or less.   Long term has to reduce its CO2 emissions per passenger-km by 50% and reach a target of using 2% of its fuel from sustainable sources by 2025.

Experts on the industry believe that airlines that are quick to commit to sustainability policies with benefit with an increase in passenger numbers.

Will a commitment to sustainability affect your choice of an airline?  Let us know in the comments.

Disembarking BA Flight at Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport
Aviation NewsCoronavirusTravelTrip Reviews

Flying in the New Normal 2: Interview with British Airways

by Travel Radar
written by Travel Radar

British Airways (BA) operations were reduced by ninety percent during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  A limited scheduled service re-commenced in July 2020.  I took advantage of this to fly to Italy.  My outbound flight was full but the inbound flight was flying at fifty percent capacity.  I took advantage of this to interview James, the Customer Service Manager on my return flight, regarding his personal experience during the transition to the new normal.

I interviewed James, the Customer Service Manager on my return flight to find out his views | Stock Photo © Stuart Bailey via BA

Me:  Have you been furloughed during the lockdown?

James:  No.  All BA employees were asked if they wanted to be furloughed.  My partner and I have a five-year-old child so one of us had to stay at home and she chose to be furloughed.

Me: Have you done many flights during the lockdown?

James: Yes, BA has been involved in several operations during this period.  These include repatriation flights to India, collection of Personal Protection Equipment from China, charters to rescue stranded cruise passengers, and worldwide mail runs.  Cabin crew are only used when cargo is carried in the main cabin as well as the hold.

Boarding Gates at Valerio Catullo Airport, Verona, italy

Boarding Gates at Valerio Catullo Airport, Verona, Italy | © Valery Collins

Me: How are passengers re-acting to the mandatory requirement to wear face coverings during flights?

James:  Generally, there is no problem and most people comply.  However, some passengers do refuse to wear them but an increasing number is claiming exemption on medical grounds.  We are not allowed to question them regarding the nature of the medical condition due to data protection rules.

Me:  I upgraded to Club Class to ensure I would have space around me.  The boarding of the plane, row by row, was re-assuring and, I really enjoyed the food in my boxed meal.

James:  The provision of food onboard has been one of the major changes on our flights.  BA is now working with a new company, Do&Co, which produces good quality food.  We were unable to use them before as they are a relatively small company.  Now that our scale of operations has been reduced Do&Co is able to supply us.

Touching Down at Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport

Touching Down at Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport | © Valery Collins

The on-board trolley service has been suspended.  Passengers in Traveller are offered a complimentary soft/hot drink and a small snack.  This is to reduce interaction between passengers and cabin crew.  BA is considering alternatives such as pre-ordering and pre-paying for food to be delivered to passengers on board.  Shopping onboard can only be done online – there are no inflight magazines.

Me:  Thank you, James.  The new normal on BA flights has made me feel more confident about flying.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of ‘James’, a member of crew on my return flight. They do not express the official stance, nor views of British Airways, or the wider International Airlines Group (IAG). Interviewee name changed to maintain anonymity. 

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