POST-CORONA

THE RISE OF
SANITISED
TRAVEL
THE DAY OF THE LIFE OF AN AIRLINE PASSENGER

APRIL 2020
 Welcome to the age of
sanitised travel
Air travel will never be the same after the advent of the COVID-19 outbreak. Just like
how travellers would not have stepped on-board an airplane after 9/11 unless they
were assured that there were no weapons on-board, they will not travel unless
assurance is provided that there are no viruses on board.

SimpliFlying mapped out over 70 areas on the day of travel that would change due to
new demands of the travellers. This PDF summarizes the key stages of travel and how
each stage will change. Welcome to the age of post-corona travel. The age of
sanitised travel.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

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Previously, during online check-in,  travellers only

had to upload their passport details, choose seats
and pay for optional services like checked bags.

In the age of sanitised travel, they will be required to

upload an immunity passport confirming the
presence of antibodies for COVID-19. This would be
similar to the Yellow Fever card we need to carry
when travelling from some humid regions.
 New ancillary
opportunities

There will be new opportunities for airlines to drive

ancillary revenues as travellers would pay for all-
inclusive insurance products that would issue full
refunds in case they are denied boarding. They will
also be able to buy masks, gloves and even pay
more for an empty seat next to them.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

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Previously, passengers and those dropping them off

could arrive 1-3 hours prior to departure.

In the age of sanitised travel, only those travelling will

be allowed to enter the airport, at least 4 hours prior
to departure. Before they can be allowed in the
departure area, they will either need to show their
immunity passport or go through a disinfection
tunnel and thermal scanners. Only if they are
deemed “fit to fly” will they be allowed in.
 THA: Transport
Health Authority
Just like 9/11 led to the creation of the TSA, we expect post-COVID-19
travel to be guided by a Transport Health Authority (THA). Ideally,
the THA would be led by WHO, ACI and IATA to define health
screening and sanitation standards throughout travel, especially
outside the airport perimeter.

Having consistency across countries for international travellers will

prevent confusion and help boost confidence in travel.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

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Previously, passengers would have chosen their seats

online and may walk straight through to Security. No
longer. In the future:
All passengers will need to head to the check-in
counter to have an instant assessment of their
health (like Biomind CT scan);
Some airlines may administer blood tests as well.
Check-in agents will be behind protective
barriers, like those found in pharmacies;
Bags will go through fogging or a UV disinfection
process to be “Sanitagged”;
Seats will be assigned by agents to optimise in-
flight distancing;
Passengers will be handed gloves and masks to
be worn through the rest of the journey.
 The new
check-in
The check-in process may no longer be swift. From
process
manually being assigned seats to a health scan being
done, travellers will need to adapt to new realities.

People may be required to show up at least four hours

prior to departure, depending on the specific airline’s and
airport’s procedures. This may inconvenience families with
kids and elderly the most. Business travellers may prefer to
take the train or drive if possible, to avoid the hassels.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

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Previously, passengers went through priority security

or normal security. In the age of sanitised travel:
All passengers will need to go through hygiene-
enhanced security at least 2 hours prior to
departure;
Each carry-on bag and each tray will be
disinfected upon entering the X-ray machine. This
will be done through fogging, UV-ray disinfection or
other “quick” techniques;
All carry-on bags will then be “Sanitagged” as well;
Passengers must keep their masks and gloves on
and avoid touching anyone else’s items;
Security cameras will need to be updated as they
will not be able to see through masks.
APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL 10

In the age of sanitised travel, the boarding process is

set to be overhauled:
Passengers would need to be present in the
boarding area at least an hour before departure;
They will need to maintain social distancing in
the seating area;
Touchless vending machines in the boarding
area would encourage purchase of meals that can
be consumed in-flight or pre-departure;
Passengers will only board when they receive
individual notifications on their mobile phones
to proceed;
Priority boarding will be offered to “essential
workers”;
Those with positive scan results (taken at the
check-in) will be denied boarding.
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The JetBridge is currently a tightly packed space,

with passengers standing close together, just
waiting to get on board.

In the age of sanitised travel, the JetBridge will be

less crowded, with social distancing in place. It will
serve as the perfect space for a disinfection
tunnel, ensuring that every single passenger
stepping on board has been properly disinfected
and are not carrying anything other than their
luggage on the flight.
APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL 12

Before take off, in the age of sanitised travel, the in-

flight experience is set to change dramatically.
All cabin crew will be wearing protective gear;
Upon boarding, crew will verify all passengers have
their own gloves and masks on;
We will see passengers wiping down their own
seats before being seated with wipes handed out
by the cabin crew;
The safety video will include a “sanitation” section;
Any passengers displaying signs of being unwell
may be off-loaded before take-off;
There will be visible fogging of the cabin;
A hand-sanitiser service may be provided by the
crew every 30 minutes.
 A touchless cabin
Gone will be the days when crew came by to serve multi-course
fresh meals in premium cabins. Now, all passengers will get a pre-
packed, sealed meal to prevent any viruses from getting in the
food.

We expect personal device use to significantly grow as passengers

avoid touching seat-back screens. Cash transactions will no longer
exist. Seat back pockets will be left empty and the safety card will be
stuck at the back of the tray table. This will also mean the end of
the printed in-flight magazines. Welcome to the touchless cabin!

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

 The in-flight janitor
Such will be the need for visible efforts towards cleaning that some airlines may hire
dedicated in-flight janitors to keep lavatories and high-touch areas clean regularly.

We have seen airlines like Emirates employ crew who specifically keep their in-flight showers
aboard the First Class sparkly clean. Passengers also need to book a time upon take off for
their shower.

Similar measures may be taken across all classes, especially by legacy airlines, such that the
in-flight janitor can clean surfaces and lavatories at regular intervals. A realtime cleaning
log can be made available to passengers via an app to boost confidence. Don’t be surprised if
you are asked to rate the cleanliness of the cabin every a few times during the flight.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL 15
In the age of sanitised travel, things will also
change when arriving at the destination:
Upon landing, bags will be “Sanitagged” before
they are placed on the conveyor belt;
Thermal scanners will be used to identify
passenger with a potential fever or developing
temperature;
At the border control, counters will be
screened off to protect the officers;
An immunity passport will also have to be
verified before entering the country;

Airlines will no longer be able to turnaround their

aircraft and get them ready for their next flight in
just half an hour or less, as deep cleaning will
have to take place after every flight, and not just
overnight.
 The end of the
30-minute
turn
The rapid 30 minute turn-around times that airlines
have been diligently trying to shorten even more,
especially LCCs, will become a thing of the past.

In the age of sanitised travel, every aircraft, after every

flight will have to be deep cleaned, fogged and
perhaps even sterilised with UV lights or other new
technologies. Doing it overnight only will no longer
be sufficient.

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

In total, over 70 different
areas in the passenger
journey are expected to
either change or to be
introduced from scratch to
restore confidence in
flying after COVID-19.

APRIL 2020
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Before the flight...

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL 19

...during and after the flight.

The 6X Model Brand
eXpectation

Brand Brand
SimpliFlying's 6X Airline Brand Model has X-Factor eXperience
guided aviation executives over the past
decade in managing brand impact. In 6X AIRLINE
consideration of post-corona travel changes, BRAND
the largest impact will be felt in the Brand MODEL
eXperience and Brand eXecution categories. Brand Brand
eXecution eXpression

Brand
eXternalities

APRIL 2020 THE RISE OF SANITISED TRAVEL

 Our Rapid Response Team can run
through the customer journey map
with over 70 areas set to be affected
due to coronavirus.
Get in touch
rapidresponse@simpliflying.com

We can help you

navigate and adapt
to the realities of
sanitised travel.
APRIL 2020