Qatar Airways Giving All Passengers Free Protective Kit; New PPE for Crew

All Qatar Airways passengers are now being provided with a complimentary protective kit.

The ziplock pouch contains a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. Business Class customers receive the same protective items but with a larger 75ml sanitiser gel.

Qatar Airways has also introduced new disposable protective gowns for cabin crew that are fitted over their uniforms, in addition to safety glasses, gloves and a mask. The new branded gowns are personalised with Qatar Airways’ logo imprinted on the top left corner.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “Throughout the COVID19 crisis, the safety of our passengers has been our highest priority. By introducing these additional onboard safety and hygiene measures, our customers can rely on us and our unparalleled expertise to fly them safely to their destination. As the largest international airline flying consistently throughout the pandemic, we have become one of the most experienced in safety and hygiene. We will continue to lead the industry in terms of the services offered to our passengers, so that they can travel with confidence.”

Economy Class passengers are required to wear their face shield visor in addition to their face mask or covering throughout the flight, except when they are served their meals or drinks.

Business Class customers are asked to wear their face shield and mask onboard at their own discretion, as the airline says they enjoy more space and privacy.

Parents flying with children should advise them to keep wearing their PPE throughout the journey, although children under two years of age are not advised to wear face shields and face masks or coverings.

During boarding and disembarkation, all passengers will be required to wear their face mask or covering as well as the face shield.

Since the start of the COVID19 crisis, the airline has also applied other additional health and safety measures onboard its flights.

Business Class meals are served covered on a tray instead of a table set up, and a cutlery wrap is offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery service, in an effort to minimise contact between crew and passengers. Qatar Airways has also introduced single-use menu cards and sealed refreshing wipes.

Economy Class meals and cutlery are served sealed as usual, and menu cards have been temporarily discontinued. All social areas onboard the aircraft have been closed adhering to the social distancing measures.

All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are rigorously sanitised after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.

Cabin crew have received training on how to minimise their chances of contracting or spreading the infection, are thermally screened before the departure of flights and after their arrival, and are quarantined and tested if any colleagues or passengers on a flight shows any symptoms of infection or test positive for the virus.

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