We've written up about the ways that airlines all across the country have been implementing cleaning procedures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 both on board and off. From high-tech air filtration systems to the wiping down of surfaces, air carriers have been very diligent in guaranteeing travelers as safe and clean an environment as possible while on trips. But who is doing it best?
The Points Guy—a website dedicated to all things travel—has just released a wide-ranging report dissecting the ways the top ten airlines in the U.S. have responded to the coronavirus pandemic. The site takes into account five categories when coming up with the final scores: ticketing, cleaning, on the ground (how have airlines adjusted their on-ground experience?), onboard (how have they shifted their in-flight operations?) and loyalty (how are loyal members being treated?).
Overall, Delta Air Lines scored the highest points, effectively ranking number one on the master list. Alaska Airlines comes in second, followed by JetBlue, American Airlines and Southwest. But it's the specific category breakdowns that yield the most interesting factoids about air carriers throughout the pandemic.
When it comes to ticketing, for example, Southwest takes the cake, given its "flexible travel policies." When looking at onboard service, on the other hand, JetBlue earns the top spot, in part thanks to the implementation of a policy that blocks middle seats on larger aircrafts and aisle seats on smaller ones through, at least, September 8.
In terms of cleanliness—which is, arguably, one the most important categories in the age of COVID-19—Delta reigns supreme with a 20/20 score. "The list measures being taken by the Atlanta-based airline is impressive," reads the blog post accompanying the survey's results. "Electrostatic spraying with disinfectant before every flight, along with dedicated attention to high-touch areas like overhead bin handles and armrests. Delta has even committed to holding flights if the cabin is deemed not clean enough prior to boarding."
One thing to keep in mind, as mentioned by the leaders of the survey, is that these "scores [...] don't guarantee that you'll have a flawless experience with Delta during the pandemic, nor does it definitively prove that you'll have a poor one with Spirit—"the lowest ranked carrier on the list. That is all to say: no matter what airline you're flying with, stay safe.
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