COVID-19: Vistara temporarily modifies in-flight services for post-lockdown operations

As airlines brace for a resumption of domestic air travel after May 3, Vistara has made temporary changes in its in-flight products and services to minimise the touchpoints of human contact on board by up to 80% during the post-lockdown period.

All commercial passenger flights, domestic and international, have been suspended for the lockdown period that started on March 25. The ongoing lockdown over coronavirus will end on May 3 and the airlines are hoping that limited air travel will be allowed post that. 

Amidst this, Vistara on Tuesday announced intended temporary changes to its inflight products and services on domestic and international flights to ensure health and safety of passengers and its staff upon resumption of services, when allowed by the authorities. 

"In line with social distancing norms, the airline aims to introduce new operating procedures to minimise touchpoints of human contact on board by up to 80%. The airline may make further changes in compliance with regulatory guidelines once they are finalised and notified," the airline said in a press release. 

Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, has said it intends to continue serving food and beverages in all cabins while reducing the cabin crew’s time spent on aisle and interaction with customers. 

On Vistara’s domestic flights, the service alterations include a reduction in meal choices and withdrawal of services such as onboard sales, welcome drink, hot meals and beverages in Premium Economy and Economy cabins, Starbucks coffee and Turkish towels, it said. 

Water-pouring will be replaced with the distribution of 200ml sealed water bottles on all flights, and cold refreshments will be served to customers in Premium Economy and Economy cabins, including to customers opting for Economy Lite fares, the carrier said. 

To further reduce the risk of spreading the virus by touch, the airline has implemented a temporary fleetwide removal of its in-flight magazines and other reading material, the airline said, adding that the services on international flights will also be reviewed accordingly to curtail contact with customers. 

Vistara’s cabin crew are receiving appropriate training on minimising their chances of contracting or spreading the coronavirus. 

"They will undergo thermal screenings before the departure and arrival of flights and will be quarantined and tested if any colleagues or passengers show symptoms of infection or test positive for COVID-19. The cabin crew will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and disposable gloves at all times," the airline said.

Vistara shall implement social distancing across all possible passenger touchpoints and encourage the usage of self-service facilities such as web check-in and airport check-in kiosks, it added. 

Stating that it maintains the highest standards in hygiene, including disinfectant cleaning of all aircraft at the turn-around of every single flight and deep cleaning of all aircraft every 24 hours with higher concentration of approved disinfectant cleaners, Vistara said it will equip all its aircraft with surgical masks, gloves, sanitizer wipes and contact-less infrared thermometers. 

The airline will also ensure a precautionary check-up with the Airport Medical Support team for any passenger showing symptoms of COVID-19.