The world’s first long haul airline certified with the 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating

 

The COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating is the world’s only assessment and certification of airline health and safety measures during Covid that is based on professional and scientific investigation of the actual standards being provided by airlines. This is important to highlight, says Edward Plaisted of Skytrax, because there are some self-certifications that simply ask airlines to complete an online box-ticking exercise to state what their Covid measures are (or should be), and experts do not believe such a process can deliver accurate or objective results.

Qatar Airways kept flying throughout COVID-19, taking over 3.1 million people home since the start of the pandemic.

Qatar Airways is the world’s first long haul airline to be Certified with the 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating. TheCovid Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax is the world’s first and only assessment and certification of airline health and safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic that is based on professional and scientific investigation of the actual standards being provided at the airport and onboard flights.

The COVID-19 Safety audit was conducted in December 2020, evaluating a mixture of long haul and regional flights, in addition to safety standards at the home base airport of Hamad International Airport in Doha. The COVID-19 analysis incorporates relevant areas from the IATA Health Safety Standards Checklist, ICAO CART Take-off guidance and WHO recommendations.

Qatar Airways has been a leading airline during COVID-19 and adopted a broad and robust range of safety and
hygiene measures to accommodate customers. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Qatar Airways profile and
reputation for reliability has developed substantially, and they did not reduce the number of flights as aggressively as
other airlines in the region.

A 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating confirms excellent airport processing standards that considers all practical
elements of contactless technology, customer handling, and social distancing protocols for check-in, boarding, and
arrival. Airline lounges meet a high standard of cleanliness validated visually and through ATP testing, with good
measures in place that facilitate social distancing, and safe delivery systems for food and beverages. Onboard
cleanliness and cabin presentation is at a excellent quality level, and may use new techniques for UV sanitisation, and mass disinfectant treatments which are scientifically evaluated. Service systems for catering are adapted for COVID-19 times, with reduced contact delivery and enhanced food safety measures for meal presentation.

There has been a comprehensive roll out of hand hygiene facilities at high contact points in Hamad International Airport, and the airline has recently increased the number and prominence of sanitisers across the network, ensuring complete consistency for passengers. Guests will also notice enhanced information signage on the airline’s safety policies and social distancing, and frequent reinforcement of the necessary behaviour for boarding processes.

Qatar Airways customers also receive complimentary face visors during boarding to wear during the flight, and once onboard there are hygiene kits containing replacement face masks and hand sanitiser.

Onboard flights, Qatar Airways maintains excellent cleanliness standards which delivered a high pass rate across ATP tests. Aircraft are subject to thorough pre-flight cleaning in Doha and at other network airports, and there is excellent consistency between Business and Economy Class cabins. For Business Class guests, the airline is making use of the Qsuite on all long-haul flights which provides excellent social distancing potential.

Qatar Airways has undertaken several important product and service changes in the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge in Doha. In addition to the sanitisers and hygiene information, a la carte dining has been reintroduced in the main restaurant area. While the buffet remains available, the choices are prepared by staff and delivered to the table to reduce customer contact. The space and capacity of the lounge area means that social distancing is well enforced, and enhanced cleaning delivered a high level pass rate for ATP testing.