Finnair to Require All Passengers to Wear Masks

Finnair has introduced a range of new COVID19 safety measures as it prepares to increase the number of flights available.

Earlier this spring, the airline changed in-flight service, customers are seated as far away from each other onboard as possible, there are plastic shields at service points and aircraft cleaning has been intensified. Customer service personnel also follow a no-touch policy with customers’ travel documents and baggage.

The most visible and latest change to customers now is the requirement wear a mask for the entire duration of the flight. This measure is in effect from 18 May and will stay in place until the end of August 2020, at the earliest.

"Customers will board the flight with their own mask and wear it throughout the flight,” said Piia Karhu, SVP, Customer Experience at Finnair. “Also, Finnair’s customer facing staff at the airport as well as the cabin crew will wear surgical masks. We decided to introduce this measure because the usage of masks is becoming more widespread and they protect passengers from possible droplet infections. When everyone wears a mask, we’re able to protect each other.”

Other measures include:

- Customers are asked to maintain a minimum social distance of 1 meter at the airport;

- All Finnair customer facing staff at the airport will wear a mask;

- Onboard, customers are seated apart from each other whenever possible; seating arrangements are reviewed by airline staff at the gate before boarding;

- Customers will board the aircraft starting from those seated at the rear of the cabin;

- In bus transportation, max 50% of the capacity of the bus is used;

- Finnair cabin crew will wear surgical masks during the flight;

- All customers are required to wear a mask from boarding to leaving the aircraft;

- Customers are asked to bring their own masks that cover both nose and mouth;

- Children under the age of 7 are not required to wear a mask;

- Other exemptions from the mask rule are subject to prior clearance from Finnair Medical desk;

- Aircraft cleaning has further been intensified, with a special focus on high-touch areas;

- Sanitising wipes are available for customers onboard;

- An adjusted in-flight service concept will help to decrease contact between customers and cabin crew;

- Customers are asked to travel light to minimise the amount of hand-baggage in the cabin and avoid unnecessary movement in the cabin; and

- Disembarkation will happen from front to rear by groups.

"We recommend that customers acquire a mask that fits them already before their flight, pack as little as possible and check-in online or with a mobile app – all of these reduce waiting times and contacts at the airport,” added Piia Karhu. “I’m confident everyone also understands that they won’t be able to board a flight if there is the slightest suspicion of a Covid19 infection or if they have respiratory symptoms.”

Finavia, the Finnish airport operator, has also introduced new measures at Finnish airports. Customer facing employees at the airports will wear surgical masks, floor stickers mark social distancing rules at airports, customer service points are equipped with plastic shields and hand sanitiser is available in various locations.

See latest Travel News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, Finnair.