Hong Kong Airlines is now taking things further to reduce the spread of coronavirus. As a precautionary measure, the airline will be drastically cutting inflight service.
Hong Kong Airlines cuts inflight service
Hong Kong Airlines announced a few changes to inflight service in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. Claiming these moves are a measure to protect customers and crew from the virus, they will also make the travel experience on Hong Kong Airlines a little less pleasant. Hong Kong Airlines has cut the following services:
- No more duvets or blankets and pillows will be available onboard aircraft
- Magazine selection will not be available. Instead, passengers will find a newspaper and other reading materials as present in the seatback pocket.
However, there is one huge change that will drastically impact the inflight experience:
Passengers on Hong Kong Airlines will no longer receive inflight catering. Instead, business class passengers will get a simple bottle of water. Economy class passengers will receive a “cuplet” of water.
Hong Kong Airlines no longer flies long-haul routes (Cre: Airbus).
This is not the first airline to eliminate onboard meal service. However, it does represent a pretty drastic cut on the part of the airline.
Hong Kong Airlines has also shut down a lounge
In addition, Hong Kong Airlines announced that one of its lounges, Club Autus, has been shut down until further notice. Meanwhile, the other Hong Kong Airlines lounge, Club Bauhinia will remain open. Passengers will be able to help themselves to individually wrapped food items or else indulge in a made-to-order Noodle Bar.
Hong Kong Airlines has shut down Club Autus (Cre: Hong Kong Airlines).
The shutting down of this club is likely a result of reduced traffic through Hong Kong alongside concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
What this means for passengers
Ultimately, the inflight experience will be far from a normal flight experience. Thankfully, Hong Kong Airlines does not operate any long-haul flights where this would be a huge issue. Rather, Hong Kong Airlines is focusing on intra-Asia flights where passing a few hours is less of a major issue without inflight catering.
Overall
Hong Kong Airlines is also facing financial concerns. The carrier had a scare in 2019 before receiving additional funding. While closing Club Autus and cutting inflight services will help Hong Kong Airlines save some money, the airline also has to deal with reduced passenger demand on flights to and from the rest of Asia. For now, however, the inflight experience will be much different on Hong Kong Airlines for the foreseeable future. Only time will tell when the airline will restore catering and blankets on flights.
To slow the spread of nCoV and ensure the health of passengers and employees, Vietnam Airlines has made adjustments to several ground and in-flight services as follows:
- Cleaning and disinfection: Vietnam Airlines disinfects all aircraft returning from operation in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Thailand. Since the nCoV outbreak began, all staff members have been equipped with medical face masks and gloves, training regarding nCoV prevention, reminders on correct handwashing techniques, and have been instructed on service procedures meant to ensure safety and hygiene standards as per the Ministry of Health.
- Adjustments to in-flight services: To fully protect passengers’ health, from the 5th of February, Vietnam Airlines has adjust several in-flight services. (details)
- Changes in the Lotus Lounge’s services: Vietnam Airlines provides more disinfectant liquid for hand cleansing at the entrance, reception desks, and toilets; covers all food trays at the buffet area; supplies disposable knives, spoons, forks, paper cups, etc. Items that can’t be replaced with disposable ones will be cleaned, dried, and sterilized carefully before being reused. Other pieces of equipment at the Lounge will also be cleaned and disinfected once every hour.
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Flight route policies: Vietnam Airlines has temporarily suspended flights connecting Vietnam and mainland China since the 1st of February, and refunded tickets and waived fees for itinerary changes for passengers flying between the two countries. From the 6th of February, the carrier continue to halt the operation between Hanoi and Macao/ Hong Kong to ensure health status for employees and passengers.
Cre: Simple Flying
Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM
