All the major jet card providers have been enhancing their policies and procedures to make travel safer for both passengers and crews. These changes start with guidelines from both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and then build from there.
FAA & CDC
Guidelines from the FAA were issued in a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 20009) and cover health monitoring and health protection and minimizing crewmember exposures. In particular they include:
- Increase the frequency of routine cleaning of the aircraft to focus on the most frequently touched surfaces.
- After each flight, clean and disinfect surfaces in the galley, passenger cabin, and areas that are frequently touched by crewmembers, such as buttons and dials that control cabin lighting and temperature, safety demonstration equipment, phone handsets, and touchscreens. Use products that are effective against COVID-19.
- Ensure crewmembers are trained in the correct use of PPE.
- Arrange to house flight crews in hotels that are in close proximity to the airport. Ensure that the hotel rooms are sanitized in advance of the crews’ arrival.
- Provide sufficient quantities of alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol to crewmembers for their personal use.
CDC recommendations include measures for cabin crew to protect themselves and others, manage a sick traveler, clean contaminated areas, and take actions after a flight.
Protocol Changes
The changes that the jet card providers have made include:
- Before a flight, all passengers and crew complete a health and travel diary declaration.
- Also before a flight, temperature checks are made on passengers and crew.
- PPE is worn by the crew and is available for passengers.
- Hand sanitizer is available.
- Catering now uses disposable cutlery, rather than reusable cutlery, and snacks and drinks are not stored as standard on the aircraft.
- Aircraft interiors are treated with a long lasting protective coatings that kills pathogens and microorganisms.
- Aircraft undergo regular deep cleanings.
- Some card companies are using their own fleets to ferry crews around, in order to avoid commercial airline travel for the crews.
- Card providers are checking with FBO’s to make sure airport lobbies and common areas are cleaned multiple times each day, and staff have PPE and are socially distancing.
- Crew overnight procedures have been changed, to avoid potential exposures, as recommended by the FAA
When you fly privately you go through quieter private terminals (FBOs) and the only people on the plane with you are the folks you know and invited, so overall there is far less exposure to other people.