On March 9, 2020 Delta Airlines sent an email to members of it’s SkyMiles program with steps being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in airports and on their airplanes:
While efforts to contain COVID-19 continue to evolve, Delta has taken proactive and voluntary steps to help customers have a healthy flying experience.
Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning
Disinfecting surfaces is one key way to minimize the spread of viruses, according to the CDC and WHO. From airports to aircraft, here are some ways Delta is working to ensure a healthy flying experience using EPA- and OSHA-approved virus-killing products:
- Aircraft – Delta has doubled down on its regular cleaning program while adding a fogging process – often used by the food industry– to disinfect trans-oceanic aircraft interiors. As trans-oceanic flights come in, fogging takes place after an initial cleaning, this time with tray tables lowered and overhead bins and lavatory doors open. Seatback entertainment touch-screens are given an extra cleanse using disinfectant wipes. Check out more details about Delta’s aircraft cleaning and sanitizing procedures here.
- Check-in kiosks – While touch screens are convenient, they require customers to touch the same surface that others have. That’s why we’re disinfecting airport kiosks multiple times daily. Customers can always download the Fly Delta app so you can check-in from your phone instead. Simply sign in as a “guest” or create a Delta SkyMiles account for free with no obligations.
- Gate areas – In addition to the ticket counter and airport lobby area, Delta has increased the cleaning schedule of gates areas, making supplies readily available to our customer service agents for spot or more frequent cleaning and more seat cleaning in the process.
Giving customers a hand (sanitizer, and more)
Simple personal hygiene including frequent hand washing and not touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth is essential to minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 and other viruses. While we know many customers are following this guidance, here are some other ways Delta is arming customers with ways to stay clean:
- Hand sanitizers — Delta is putting hand sanitizers on all ticket counters, boarding gates, Need Help Centers, Baggage Service Offices and Sky Clubs starting with our hub airports where we serve the highest volume of customers – something employees and customers alike can take advantage of before boarding the aircraft.
- Amenity kits – These kits for customers on long-haul international flights include hand sanitizer or cleansing towelettes.
Breathing easy in flight
Aircraft in Delta’s fleet feature either a state-of-the-art air circulation system with HEPA filtration or a system that pulls fresh air in from the outside to replace cabin air. HEPA air filters extract more than 99.999% of even the tiniest viruses, including coronaviruses.
Arming employees with facts and supplies
Delta employees are the foundation of our success – their health, safety and knowledge are paramount. Here are some ways we’re supporting employees so they can better support customers:
- Supplies – Providing hand sanitizer, gloves and other protective equipment, particularly for those who engage directly with customers, and masks for use by ill customers, their caretakers or flight attendants or pilots who are in close contact with ill customers.
- Information – Delta has launched a cross-divisional COVID-19 command center with key leaders and subject matter experts so we can nimbly respond and communicate with employees about evolving CDC and WHO guidance. General updates and role-specific guidance are being provided to employees regularly.
- This week Delta welcomed CDC doctors working on the COVID-19 outbreak to a town hall in Atlanta, where frontline employees were able to ask questions and hear from experts. For employees not able to attend, Delta leaders are sharing what was learned and key takeaways were distributed to every Delta employee worldwide.
Staying in lockstep with the experts
Delta’s Air Crew and Passenger Health Services team has a close relationship with the CDC and WHO, and they’ve increased their contact as guidance evolves to ensure we are taking all necessary precautions for healthy flying. As such, all of Delta’s health and safety processes meet the high standards of these organizations, and many exceed them.
Remembering what we’ve learned from other global outbreaks
COVID-19 isn’t the first epidemic we’ve faced, and what we’ve learned from H1N1 and Ebola has helped prepare us to take care of customers today. While every health event has unique elements, the adjustments Delta has made in the past continue to pay dividends for managing COVID-19. These include equipping aircraft with Universal Precaution Kits, hand and surface sanitizers and other items, in accordance with CDC recommendations, so flight attendants can maintain their own health and the health of those onboard should a customer show signs of infection.