Today, United Airlines extended the masks requirements for its passengers. From 24 July, United customers must wear a face-covering in more than 360 airports where the airline operates around the world. If they fail to comply, “they may be refused travel and banned from flying United,” said the company. Let’s investigate further.
How much would the ban last?
United intends to protect its clients from possible coronavirus infections, as the US airline industry is trying to recover. The carrier was the first major US airline to require flight attendants to wear a face-covering back in May. Later on, it extended the policy to all customers while onboard.
Now, United extended its requirement to the more than 360 airports it operates. To those passengers who refuse to use the face-covering, United may ban them while the mask requirement is in place. The company added,
“If a passenger believes that there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant an exception, they should contact United or speak to a representative at the airport.”
But before that happens, Untied employees will first give a verbal reminder. They will also offer a free mask to any customer who is not wearing one. If the passenger doesn’t comply at this stage, the employees will provide them a reminder card with United’s policies. Then the ban would come.
United is taking up measures to prevent coronavirus
Yesterday, United Airlines announced that it would be maximizing airflow through its HEPA filters. Additionally, the North American carrier launched its United CleanPlus program. The objective is to put health and safety “at the forefront of the customer experience.”
The program includes a mandatory mask policy, electrostatic spraying, touchless check-in capabilities, and a pre-boarding health self-assessment for passengers.
Also, the airline is implementing temperature checks for employees and flight attendants. It also installed sneeze guards at check-in and gate podiums and promotes social distancing with floor decals.
Like many airlines out there, United is disinfecting high-touch areas, providing hand sanitizer, enabling customers to self-scan, among other initiatives.
What about United’s load factors?
Because of the current pandemic, United is anticipating 45% load factors in July. During the last two months, United has not guaranteed to leave the middle seats empty. But the carrier says that it is taking steps to limit the overall number of people on board.
United switched to a larger plane 66 times a day between May and June, creating more space. According to the airline, less than 15% of flights were operated with more than 70% of seats filled.
For those travelers bound to be onboard one of the 70% load factor flights, United also has an initiative.
Since May, the carrier has contacted these customers with up to 24 hours in advance. It gives them the option to switch to different, less full flights for no additional fees, United said.
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