Lucky for you, private jet travelers, flying private does actually help minimize the spread of highly contagious diseases, like coronavirus and others. Today's blog aims to show you how.
Lucky for you, private jet travelers, flying private does actually help minimize the spread of highly contagious diseases, like coronavirus and others. Here’s how:
Because private jets can fly into virtually any airport, including many local and executive airports with shorter runways, private jet travelers are able to avoid the world’s most congested airports, minimize their public exposure and find alternatives to suspended flights. This aligns perfectly with the basic protective measure against contagious diseases including the new coronavirus, especially when it comes to minimizing social distancing (or keeping at least 3 feet of distance between yourself and anyone who’s coughing or sneezing).
The fact that everyone flying through commercial must go through security screenings places these areas at risk for the spread of communicable diseases. Conversely, private fliers are not required to undergo TSA security screenings, eliminating hygiene concerns over shoe removal, shared bins and close contact with other travelers and screeners.
One of the top conveniences of private travel is the FBO (fixed base operator, or private terminal), which also serves to minimize contact with potentially infected travelers. Private fliers can drive directly to these discreet, sparsely occupied terminals, park onsite if they like, and relax in an exclusive, calm space.
Most FBOs have the capability to work with aviation consultants to arrange ramp access, which allows a car to be driven onto the tarmac directly alongside the jet, avoiding the terminal altogether.
While passports are still checked for everyone flying internationally, private jet fliers have their documents checked at a separate Customs facility (or occasionally may have their documents verified on-board the aircraft, depending on the facilities and time constraints facing Customs officials at any given airport).
While the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization provide guidance on routine cleaning schedules for all types of aircraft, private jets are generally in the air less often and transporting fewer passengers than most commercial aircraft. These variables make the logistics of cleaning the aircraft easier to manage, with fewer possibilities for cross-contamination.
In general, the growing footprint of the coronavirus shows that the systems that drive the convenience and exclusivity of business aviation are all well suited to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. However, all passengers can further increase their chances of preventing illness by embracing additional in-flight hygiene precautions.
Washing your hands with soap and water (or using an alcohol-based hand rub in a pinch) is an easy, common-sense way to kill germs and prevent the spread of viruses. Mid-sized and heavy jet come equipped with lavatories for use in-flight, and some light jets have also prioritized lavatory space in their designs.
The WHO says that hands can easily transfer viruses to your eyes, nose or mouth, where they can “enter your body and can make you sick.” In an on-board environment, it can be easier to avoid touching your face if you are a in comfortable space without air nozzles drying out your eyes and skin. In heavy jets such as the Gulfstream G550, there are multiple living spaces that can maintain individual climate settings to maximize comfort and encourage hygiene.
The WHO says good respiratory hygiene “means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.” Maneuvering to cover your mouth or find a tissue can be difficult in a cramped coach environment, but it’s easy with the well-spaced club chairs and divans of nearly any private jet.
The WHO reiterates the basic common sense advice of staying home if feel unwell, adding that you should seek medical attention if you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that symptoms may not appear for as long as 14 days after exposure, meaning that some infected travelers may not show any symptoms. This is another reason why it may make sense to avoid unnecessary contact with extended groups of global travelers.
As scientists race to better understand COVID-19 and the category of coronaviruses in general, it makes sense to stay up to date with global health resources, such as the World Health Organization, as well as the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and more.
At Aviation Horizons, we do all it takes to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases by following best practices and keeping our private jets clean all the time.
Aviation Horizons Building # 197 , Mohammed Bin A. Al-Aziz street, Al-Andalus District Jeddah 21474, Saudi Arabia P.O. Box 16727
