PAL among world’s top 10 airlines in health, safety measures

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is among the top 10 airlines of the world in terms of traveler health and safety protocols adopted during the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry rating firm Safe Travel Barometer (STB).

PAL posted a “safe travel score” of 4.2 out of 5, tying with China Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, AirAsia and Emirates in STB’s list published last Aug. 19.

STB, in a statement on its website, said it conducted an independent audit of more than 150 airlines and 20 traveler health and safety measures announced, as part of airlines’ renewed preboarding, boarding and onboard experiences during the pandemic.

COVID-19-related hygiene and safety measures announced by airlines for travelers and its crew were also considered.

Germany’s Lufthansa topped the list with a score of 4.5, having implemented numerous protraveler health and safety initiatives, such as utmost transparency in communication of safety measures with travelers, including mandatory face masks for travelers, frequent cleaning of aircraft before and after every flight, and blocking middle seats in a bold statement to ease traveler anxiety.

More recently, Lufthansa also announced a rollout of COVID-19 tests for arriving passengers at Munich and Frankfurt airports.

The other airlines in the top 10 list are India’s Vistara and the United States-based Delta Airlines, Allegiant Air and Alaska Airlines.

“The fundamental premise of Safe Travel Score is to benchmark travel brands’ initiatives to reduce traveler anxiety,” Virendra Jain, STB cofounder and chief executive officer.