Air Canada launches CleanCare+

Air Canada has launched CleanCare+, a program designed to provide customers with greater peace of mind during all stages of travel.

Air Canada CleanCare+ includes measures such as mandatory pre-flight customer temperature checks in addition to required health questionnaires, seat assignment policies to allow for more personal space in Economy Class on all flights until June 30, 2020, and providing all customers with care kits for hand cleaning and hygiene.

To supplement those measures, Air Canada CleanCare+ will also strengthen its cabin grooming standards with the introduction of electrostatic spraying of cabin interiors.

"While we are eager to see the reopening of economies and the restart of commercial aviation, the safety of our customers and employees is Air Canada's core value and we aim to establish the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and attention to public health guidelines," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. "We have been a leader in progressively introducing new measures in response to COVID19, such as introducing Personal Protective Equipment for our employees and being the first North American carrier to require face coverings for customers. We are now the first airline in the Americas to administer pre-flight temperature checks system-wide. With Air Canada CleanCare+, we are introducing a comprehensive new program to give each customer added assurance for their well-being throughout all stages of their journey - and we intend to continue enhancing Air Canada CleanCare+ where we can with best practices from around the world, including increased use of screening tools, such as blood oxygen level testing, as they become available."

In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all customers, through the Air Canada CleanCare+ program Air Canada will introduce the following measures:

1. Customers travelling on Air Canada flights will be subject to an infrared temperature check at all airports The non-invasive procedure will complement the existing government-mandated health questionnaire currently completed by all travellers to determine their fitness to fly. Customers who are deemed unfit to travel will be rebooked at no cost but will be required to obtain medical clearance prior to travel.
2. To promote more personal space in Economy Class aboard its aircraft, Air Canada will automatically block the sale of adjacent seats and cap the total number of seats sold for each flight. As a result, no customer in Economy Class will be required to sit immediately adjacent to another, unless they are required to do so to assist another customer with whom they are travelling. This policy will remain in effect until at least 30 June 2020.
3. Air Canada will begin distributing care kits containing hand sanitizers and other health items to all customers.
4. Air Canada will begin using state-of-the-art electrostatic sprayers in the cabin to ensure a deeper clean with hospital grade disinfectant.

Prior to Air Canada CleanCare+, Air Canada had already taken a number of measures in response to COVID-19. These will remain in effect and be included in the Air Canada CleanCare+ Program:

1. Requiring customers to wear face coverings during their travel, including at check-in, during boarding and as directed while onboard its aircraft.
2. Protocols for the use of Personal Protective Equipment by employees, including face shields and coverings, gloves and gowns by in-flight crew, along with other safety measures to encourage physical distancing, such as a revised boarding procedure and a new onboard service program.
3. To reduce personal interactions and promote physical distancing, Air Canada has adapted its check-in procedures. This includes making available on its self-serve web and mobile check-in and airport kiosk platforms government entry requirements, the mandatory health questionnaire and other relevant information.
4. Temporary adjustments to on-board service such as individual water bottles instead of bar service offerings and the removal of pillows and blankets. Air Canada enRoute and other non-safety literature have been removed from all seatback pockets.

"Coupled with other new safety practices we implemented earlier in response to COVID-19, Air Canada CleanCare+ will provide travellers with the confidence that they can book and fly safely with Air Canada as they consider their travel plans in the current environment," added Rovinescu.

For customers who have already purchased tickets and are looking to change their travel, Air Canada has revised its booking policies so there is no change or cancellation fee for existing or new bookings. Additionally, for customers whose flights have been cancelled due to the impacts of COVID19, they can retain the unused amount of their ticket for up to 24 months.

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