United Airlines has become the latest airline to commit to a new industry-leading standard of cleanliness.
United CleanPlus brings together surface disinfection brand, Clorox, and US medical experts, Cleveland Clinic, to inform and guide United’s new cleaning, safety and social distancing protocols that includes touchless kiosks in select locations for baggage check-in, sneeze guards, mandatory face coverings for crew and customers, and giving customers options when flights are more full.
Clorox products will be used at United’s hub airports and medical experts from the Cleveland Clinic will advise on new technologies, training development and quality assurance programming.
“Safety has always been our top priority, and right now in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, it’s our singular customer focus,” said United CEO, Scott Kirby, in a video message to customers today. “We recognise that COVID-19 has brought cleanliness and hygiene standards to the front of customers’ minds when making travel decisions, and we’re not leaving a single stone unturned in our pursuit to better protect our customers and employees.”
Clorox products will first roll out at United’s hub airports in Chicago and Denver and will be used in the gate and terminal areas, with additional locations to follow.
United consulted with experts at Cleveland Clinic to provide guidance on the airline’s policies and procedures, from mandatory face coverings, to touchless kiosks in select locations for baggage check-in, to social distancing – and ensure they meet or exceed industry standards. Medical experts from the Cleveland Clinic will also advise on new technologies, training development and quality assurance programming. And, as scientists learn more about how to fight COVID-19, Cleveland Clinic experts will help United use those discoveries to quickly implement new ways to keep customers safe.
To date, United has implemented more than a dozen new policies and procedures aligned with United CleanPlus that are designed with health and safety in mind, including equipping its employees with disinfecting products available so they can disinfect high-touch areas including armrests and handrails.
From 22 May, United will introduce an “all in one” economy snack bag that replaces the economy beverage and complimentary snack choice service on domestic flights scheduled 2 hours and 20 minutes or more. This bag will include a wrapped sanitiser wipe, an 8.5 oz. bottled water, a Stroopwafel and a package of pretzels.
In June, United will enhance cabin sanitisation with electrostatic spraying, which will happen before every flight. In common with other airlines, it is also requiring all employees and customers on board to wear a mask or face covering, helping protect each other, and will supply individually wrapped hand sanitiser wipes to customers as they board. Finally, the airline will be limiting advance seat selections where possible and allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity.