Cleanliness Updates From Travel Partners
We’ve been spending some quality time connecting with our industry partners over the past few weeks, and as you might imagine, one of the most common topics of late is health and safety. Many brands have been refining and sharing their cleaning procedures - some of which are just bringing to the forefront methods that have always existed, but there are equally critical enhancements that most of the brands have shared.
There’s a lot of information out there, and we know you’re probably inundated with emails and articles. So to keep this digestible, below you will find one specific fact from some of the major airline, hotel, and car rental + ride sharing companies. For a full list of what that company is doing, click on their name below for further details. Please note, that this information is up-to-date as of writing this post but our partners are continually implementing and improving!
As we prepare to return to travel in the near future, we hope you find this information to be both insightful and comforting.
AIRLINES:
Most major airlines have imposed new health and safety regulations and are using enhanced cleaning techniques inside their plane cabins, in airport lounges, terminals and gates. Most recently, carriers such as American, United and Delta began expanded use of a technique called “fogging.” The process is simple and includes a ground service agent spraying each surface of the aircraft with a fogging machine that sprays a disinfectant that sticks to surfaces but is safe to breathe. This is certain to become a common practice on every airline in the coming weeks and months. Here’s more on the airlines…
United is the first carrier to require flight attendants to wear masks. United is also the only U.S. airline with a full-time, on-site medical director.
Southwest is tidying each aircraft between flights, and also spending more than six hours cleaning each aircraft every night.
Alaska has worked with doctors to enhance cleaning standard operating procedures.
Delta has stated that by May 1, 'fogging' will occur before EVERY flight.
American Airlines - Most of their aircrafts are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that provide a complete air change approximately every two to four minutes and remove up to 99.7% of airborne particles.
HOTELS:
Hilton (in a first for the hospitality business) will collaborate with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and consult with Mayo Clinic to develop elevated processes and team member training to help Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay…from check-in to check-out.
Marriott is rolling out enhanced technologies over the next few months, including electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotel.
Accor has partnered with testing, inspection and certification provider Bureau Veritas to develop a ‘label’ certifying that appropriate safety standards and cleaning protocols have been achieved.
Four Seasons has embarked on an important collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, the global division of health care and research leader Johns Hopkins Medicine, to validate their new global health and safety program, Lead With Care, and provide ongoing, real-time guidance on the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Hyatt is creating a sanitation accreditation and is requiring a hygiene specialist at each property. Additionally, they are enlisting a 3rd party to audit these practices.
MGM Resorts International has worked with medical and science experts to develop a multi-layered, seven-point plan designed to deter the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees, and help rapidly respond if a guest or employee shows symptoms or tests positive for the virus.
Radisson announced its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, in partnership with SGS, an inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
Meliá Hotels International recently announced “Stay Safe with Meliá”, a program which guarantees stringent post-COVID-19 health and safety standards, in collaboration with Bureau Veritas.
Additionally, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) launched Safe Stay, an industry-wide initiative focused on creating enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions and workplace protocols to ensure a consistent expectation for both hotel guests and employees.
The U.S. Travel Association has gathered contributions from the travel industry at large, working with health and medical experts, to reach collective agreement on a core set of health and safety guidance that the industry may adapt to their businesses. The guidance aims to provide consistency in the approach to safety employed by travel brands and destinations during the customer experience.
RENTAL CAR SERVICES + RIDESHARE COMPANIES:
Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise/National/Alamo) announced the implementation of its Complete Clean Pledge program. Employees are being trained to implement the new and more comprehensive cleaning mandates for their protection, and for the safety and service of customers.
Hertz is enhancing cleaning methods at worldwide locations and reinforcing their rigorous cleaning process which includes priority areas such as door handles, steering wheels, dashboard, console, seats, etc.
Avis/Budget are enhancing techniques used to clean vehicles after each rental paying special attention to interior customer touchpoints such as seats, steering wheels, door handles, and other hard surfaces.
Lyft is ramping up efforts to protect riders and drivers — including establishing new health and safety standards for ridesharing. Lyft has announced a Health Safety Program with new policies, commitments, and products designed to address the needs of our community during this important time for public health. Before using Lyft, every rider and driver will be required to self-certify that they will wear face masks throughout the ride, are symptom-free, and will follow CDC and local guidelines related to COVID-19.
Uber is preparing new technology with checklists that will verify various elements, such as if the driver is wearing a mask by asking them to take a selfie. After it has been verified that the driver is covering their face, Uber will let the rider know. Similar checklists will be used for riders. Before every trip, riders must confirm that they’ve taken precautions like wearing a face cover and washing or sanitizing their hands, among other protocols.