Since the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have had to increase precautionary measures for their crew and passengers. From wearing masks to temperature checks, safe distancing measures and more, taking a flight is very different now than ever before.
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, one airline that has been implementing precautionary measures for the safety and well-being of their crew and passengers is Scoot. As one of the best low-cost airlines in the region, Scoot is committed to make flying a safer experience for you during the COVID-19 period! Here are 16 essential things you should know about Scoot’s new safety measures if you are flying with them soon.
Note: Scoot is currently flying to 6 destinations from Singapore, as of date of publishing. Check the June schedule on their website for their current routes. There will be more updates, depending on the situation.
When booking flights
1. Temporary suspension of Scoot’s products and services
To minimise contact between its crew and passengers and facilitate effective contact tracing, Scoot has suspended these products and services:
- FlyBagEat and ScootPlus
- Board Me First (priority boarding)
- Extra Cabin Bag
- Online Seat Selection
- Inflight seat upgrade
- Meals and beverages (these will not be available for purchase online and onboard, complimentary halal refreshments will be pre-placed on seats for flights 3 hours and above)
- Inflight duty-free shopping
- Snooze Kit
#HHWT Tip: Need to amend your travel plans after booking your flight? No problem! Scoot has extended its offer of a one-time free date change to all bookings made from now till the end-June 2020.
Before boarding your flight
2. Submit a health declaration form
Before checking in to your flight, you will need to complete a health declaration form. You can fill in the form at the Scoot check-in kiosk at Changi Airport Terminal 1. Alternatively, you can access an online form which will be sent to you through an SMS notification 24 hours before your flight.
3. Bring a mask
All passengers are required to bring and wear a mask to board their flight. Your mask must be worn throughout the flight.
4. Temperature screening
Before boarding, there will be a temperature screening for all passengers. If your temperature is 37.5 degrees and above (depending on the local regulations), you won’t be allowed to board your flight. If that happens, don’t worry! You can still re-book your flight for a later date or call Scoot’s call centre to obtain a refund.
P.S. If you’re flying from Singapore, the temperature screening will be conducted at the check-in counter.
5. Limit on cabin baggage
Previously, you could bring cabin baggage of up to 10kg in Economy Class. With the new guidelines, only one small piece of carry-on baggage is allowed on board. This must weigh 3kg or less and fit under the seat in front of you. This is to ensure that there is safe distancing for passengers during security clearance, boarding and disembarkation. The remaining cabin baggage allowance (up to 7kg) will be checked in for free. Time to pack smart with these 12 essential packing hacks!
#HHWT Tip: For nursing mums, you might want to remember to pack baby food and expressed breast milk in your carry-on bag. If you are making milk for your child, you can always ask the cabin crew on your flight for hot water.
6. Check-in online or use self-service kiosks
To minimise physical interactions, Scoot has strongly encouraged its passengers to check-in online on FlyScoot.com or via the mobile app. There are self-service check-in kiosks and automated bag drop facilities at Changi Airport too.
7. Implementation of safe distancing measures
There will be safe distancing measures at queuing areas like check-in kiosks and gate-hold rooms before boarding.
#HHWT Tip: It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the airport early to ensure there is sufficient time for the additional pre-flight procedures!
On the flight
8. You will be assigned a seat for contact tracing and safe distancing
To facilitate contact tracing and safe distancing, you will be assigned a seat when you check-in. For those of you travelling with family or friends in the same booking, Scoot will try their best to seat you together! Do note that changing of seats in-flight is also not encouraged.
9. Limited inflight service
To limit physical interactions between the crew and passengers, all Scoot flights will operate with limited in-flight service. This means there will be no sale of food and beverages or duty-free shopping. For flights 3 hours and above, complimentary refreshments which have been packed with strict food safety standards, will be pre-placed on seats. Good news, these refreshments are halal too!
10. Always wear a mask
You will need to keep your mask on throughout the duration of the flight, except in situations where you’re eating, drinking or taking your medication.
11. Observe safe distancing measures
Do note that you will need to observe safe distancing measures when you’re not seated. This includes boarding, disembarking the plane and when queuing to use the lavatory.
12. Increased cabin hygiene
- If you’re worried about hygiene when you travel, hand sanitisers will be available on Scoot flights!
- Lavatories will also be regularly cleaned and disinfected, at least three times in an hour.
- Scoot’s aircraft uses High Efficiency Particulate (HEPA) filters for its cabin air filtration system. These are 99.98% effective in trapping small bacteria and virus particles, similar to those used in hospital operating rooms! This ensures that the cabin air is refreshed every 2-3 minutes.
- Passengers will also find complimentary care kits on their seats for their personal sanitising needs, containing items like anti-bacterial wipes, sanitiser and a surgical mask
P.S. Check out these 13 hygiene tips you should know when travelling!
13. No magazines/catalogues in seat pockets
If you’re someone who likes to browse magazines on a flight, you won’t be able to do so anymore ? That’s because the Scoot in-flight magazine, Scoot Cafe Menu and Scootalogue duty-free shopping catalogue have been removed from seat pockets to reduce surface contact. But there will still be a safety card and an airsick bag.
#HHWT Tip: Don’t forget to bring some reading materials or save your favourite shows on your mobile phone before you fly!
14. Protocol for handling infectious diseases
Worried about the spread of the COVID-19 virus onboard? Rest assured, Scoot has a set of standard operating procedures for its crew to handle inflight medical emergencies. They will manage and segregate customers who might develop symptoms of potentially infectious diseases during flights. There will also be a designated seating area for passengers if they are unwell.
15. All cabin crew and pilots will practise precautionary measures
To safeguard your health during flights, all Scoot crew must take their temperature before the flight and are required to monitor and report their health. They will also wear the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) while on duty - comprising of a mask, gloves, and face shield.
Crew members are also aware that if they are unwell, they should see a doctor immediately and not report for work. Those reporting for duty must not have any symptoms or physical contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.
Cabin crew will also be seated at a designated section of the aircraft, at least 2 metres away from customers and will be using a separate lavatory.
After the flight:
16. Aircraft cleaning procedures have been enhanced
To ensure the safety of its passengers, Scoot has enhanced cleaning procedures for their aircraft. Thorough cleaning of the aircraft’s interiors will also be done and here are the procedures:
- Surface wipe-downs
- Deep cleaning of aircraft’s lavatory systems with appropriate disinfectants
- Fogging of aircraft (to ensure disinfectant mist is evenly spread across all surfaces in the aircraft’s interior)
- The use of aerosol spray disinfectants as a backup to the standard disinfection procedures
With this list, we hope you’re now more aware of the additional precautionary measures that Scoot has taken for its crew and passengers since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. If you’re flying with Scoot soon, rest assured you’ll be having a safer travel experience!
#HHWT Tip: Need to amend your travel plans after booking your flight? No problem! Scoot has extended its offer of a one-time free date change to all bookings made from now till the end-June 2020.
This article is brought to you by Scoot.