Airlines around the world are adjusting service protocols in light of coronavirus. What’s surprising is the vastly different approaches that airlines are taking.
For example, comparing premium cabin service:
- Emirates will continue to offer all the same food & drinks in first class, but will just serve them more efficiently
- Turkish will simply offer cold snack boxes, and won’t serve coffee or tea, even in business class on long haul flights
Well, Lufthansa has now revealed a “simplified” onboard service concept for flights through August 31, 2020, and surprisingly little will be changing.
Lufthansa’s new onboard service
Lufthansa claims to have worked with virologists to scrutinize all processes on board planes, and has adapted them to prioritize health.
Surprisingly little is changing onboard, though it’s noted that cabin crew won’t be serving open meals in the cabin, and print material onboard is being minimized (only the menu card and safety card will continue to be offered).
Service changes on short and medium haul flights
Service in short and medium haul economy will be adjusted based on the flight time, and this is where the biggest changes to service are happening:
- On flights of under 50 minutes, there will be no service
- On flights of 50 to 150 minutes, there will be a bottle of water
- On flights of 150 to 180 minutes, there will be a snack and the usual beverage service
- On flights of more than 180 minutes, there will be an additional vegetarian sandwich option
- There will be no pillows available in economy on these flights
We’re seeing the most service changes in short haul economy
Meanwhile in business class:
- Food and drink service will continue as usual
- Freshly washed blankets will be available on night flights, but pillows won’t be available on any flights
Service will continue as normal in business class
Service changes on long haul flights
On long haul flights, service changes will truly be quite minimal.
In long haul economy:
- A vegetarian dish and the usual beverage service will be offered
- Special meals may be ordered in advance
- Disposable headphones will be offered
In long haul premium economy:
- There will be a menu card, and passengers can choose from two dishes
- Special meals may be ordered in advance
- Disposable headphones will be offered
- There will be a menu card, and passengers can choose from three dishes
- All snacks are individually packaged
Service in business class won’t change much
Service in first class won’t change much
Bottom line
As you can see, airlines are taking different approaches to onboard service in light of coronavirus. Personally I respect whatever approach airlines choose to take in the short-term. Flying won’t be fun no matter what for a while, and I recognize that there’s no right or wrong answer in terms of what service should be provided.
Lufthansa is being mild with service cuts here, and in first and business class it’s more or less business as usual. That’s quite a contrast to Turkish Airlines.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s COVID-19 onboard service concept?
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