Caution when traveling

The pandemic of the new coronavirus requires everyone to take great care to avoid the risk of infection. In the air tranport sector it is no different. Before you travel, check out the essential guidelines below to protect your health, the health of other passengers, and the health of airline employees.  

Getting ready to travel

Wearing a mask during the entire trip

An essential accessory for protection against the virus, the mask should also be worn in airports and aircraft. Using the item guarantees the protection of the passenger and other travelers, the people who work at the airports, and the crew. Everyone should wear masks and arrive at the airport wearing them.

The use of a mask is also an obligation under Law No. 13.979/2020. According to the same Law (art. 3-A, § 7), children under 3 (three) years old are exempt from this obligation and, upon presentation of a medical certificate, people with autistic spectrum disorder, with intellectual disabilities, with sensory impairments or with any other impairment that prevents them from properly using a face mask.

Anvisa updates rules to be adopted at airports and in airplanes
Check the new rules for the use of masks in airports and airplanes. 
Guidance for travelers: new rules for entering Brazil. 
Rules in airports and planes. 

Internet check-in

The recommendation to airlines is to ensure a minimum safety distance of up to 2 meters between passengers who need to be attended at the airport check-in desk. However, the best recommendation to reduce risk exposure is to check-in early, via internet. 

Alcohol gel

Alcohol gel sanitizer is one of the products recommended for maintaining personal hygiene and protection against coronavirus infection. The product can and should be used during air travel. Nevertheless, you must be aware of the rules for carrying it: carry-on luggage it is limited to no more than 500 ml and perfectly closed to prevent release of the contents. In the case of international flights, the bottles of alcohol gel must be made of plastic and transparent and have a maximum capacity of 100ml. 
 

At the airport

Protection for employees      

All professionals working in the air transport system should use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and special clothing, if necessary, to protect themselves and ward off the risk of transmission of the new coronavirus. 

Hand hygiene

Besides using alcohol gel, hand washing with soap and water, whenever possible, is a very important habit. To keep their hands clean, passengers and crew members will count on airports and aircraft always equipped with water, soap, and alcohol gel containers. 

Distance between people

Keeping social distance at the airport is another important measure to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. Thus, one should observe a distance, whenever possible, of approximately 2 meters between passengers in queues and common areas of the airport. 

Seating at the airport 

The same distance rule is suggested for seating in airport queues and common areas. Thus, the recommendation is for the terminal administration to block off part of the seats in order to avoid physical proximity between passengers waiting for their flights. 

Avoid crowds

Just like in our daily life, the general orientation in air transport is to avoid crowds in order to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus, especially in food courts and at check-in, when leaving the aircraft, and when disembarking – wait  your turn. 

Airport restrooms        

The restrooms at the airport should be kept clean, with thorough disinfection at least 3 times a day. The restrooms should always be supplied with liquid soap, running water, and paper towels. 

Airport Sanitation      

The airport environment and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected frequently, reinforcing the cleaning of high-touch surfaces, such as elevators, handrails, chair arms, baggage carts, escalator passageways, drinking fountains, and bathroom door handles. 
 

In the aircraft

Air safety on board

Do you need to travel and are worried about getting on the aircraft? Don't worry, the aircraft of the Brazilian fleet have a filtering system that renews the air every 3 minutes and captures about 99% of the particles in the air. Just don't forget to wear a mask during the whole flight. 

Be careful when disembarking

Boarding and disembarkation are the stages of air travel that deserve special attention in order to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19. After landing, passengers should remain seated until they are allowed to get up and leave the aircraft as instructed by the crew. 

Onboard service

When there is onboard service, flight attendants must take additional precautions, such as reducing the handling of packages and movements in the aircraft. Priority must be given to foods and beverages served in individual packages and closed containers, sanitized before the service is offered. 

Aircraft hygiene 

Before each boarding, the cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft should cover surfaces of restrooms, seat arms, seat belts, meal tables, touch screens, air conditioning system outlets, flight attendant call buttons and individual lights, door handles (restrooms and carry-on baggage compartments) and windows.
 

When you disembark

Wait for disembarkation sitting down

When leaving the aircraft, the same rule applies to avoiding crowds, so wait for the captain's call and the doors to open before getting up and preparing to leave. 

Try to keep your distance at the exit  

When picking up your luggage or requesting transportation to leave the airport, keep your social distance. It is also important to avoid crowds of people at the arrival gate, so drivers and family members will not be able to wait inside the airport.

By following these recommendations, you can be more confident that air transport is prepared to continue to ensure safe travel. Remember to fly only when necessary and have a safe trip!