WestJet, safety above all

Airline reinforces hygiene measures in place for a safe travel journey

Today, WestJet announced its travel hygiene program under the Safety above all umbrella, detailing what WestJet guests can expect when travelling to ensure their health and safety. The video series and WestJet's fulsome hygiene measures can be found here.

"Safety, including hygiene and health, is above all at WestJet, which is why the already-existing mantra was selected to communicate our hygiene efforts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Billy Nolen, WestJet Vice-President, Safety, Security and Quality. "Safety is at the forefront of every decision and initiative at WestJet and our efforts on health and hygiene are no exception. As the world continues to adapt to this new environment, we will continue to adjust our health measures to ensure the safest travel experience possible as more Canadians begin to fly once again."

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, WestJet has introduced a number of safety and hygiene best-practice initiatives based on information from domestic and global experts such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, the World Health Organization and International Air Transport Association (IATA). These measures include introducing both seat distancing and aircraft fogging, which is a cleaning procedure that provides a complete disinfection of the aircraft interior using a hydrogen peroxide-based solution cleaner. WestJet has also implemented temperature taking before boarding across its 38 Canadian destinations.

It is a misconception that COVID-19 is spread on aircraft. With WestJet's layered approach to health, the aircraft is as safe an environment as possible. In addition to the measures detailed here, all WestJet aircraft (737, 767, 787 and Q400) are equipped with an industry-leading air circulation system containing a HEPA filter, similar to what is used in hospital environments, achieving a viral removal efficiency of greater than 99.99909 per cent. World Health Organization also recently stated the spread of COVID-19 by someone who is not showing symptoms appears to be rare.

Concluded Nolen. "As Canadians continue to flatten the curve, WestJet is committed to doing our part, while helping guests feel safe getting back in the skies."