Emirates reveals changes for passengers ahead of December 1 takeoff from Australia

Emirates wants more international flights in the air before Christmas, as it unveiled the “different world” its passengers will face when they board aircraft out of Australia.

One of the world’s largest airlines hopes to have more international flights in the air before Christmas, as it unveiled the “different world” its passengers will face when they board aircraft out of Australia in December.

Emirates Divisional Vice President for Australasia Barry Brown said they “will gear up” for flights out of Queensland, if December 17 does become the state’s “Freedom Day”, but said the airline was still unsure of when it would fly in and out of West Australia.

When Sydney and Melbourne A380 flights resume, a “Cabin Service Assistant” will be on-board each flight, cleaning aircraft toilets every 45 minutes and replenishing soap and hand sanitiser.

Mr Brown said passengers will be able to line up as normal to use the facilities, but will be required to wear a face mask throughout the flight unless they are drinking and eating.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this rule.

Each seat will also have new waste bags offered to passengers so they can dispose of used masks as they change them through their flight.

While there will be no more reading material in the back seat pocket, their airlines safety cards – as well as mattresses and pillows in business and first class – will be disinfected after each flight.

Emirates Divisional Vice President for Australasia Barry Brown. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“To meet regulations, we will have extra hand sanitiser and spare masks on board in our cabins,” Mr Brown said.

First class passengers will still have access to their in-flight shower, but their crew will “deep clean” the shower after each person has used it.

Mr Brown said the airline also has HEPA cabin air filters which help remove 99.97 per cent of germs and microbes from the air.

When ordering food, first and business class will get a disposable menu and can order digitally through their in-flight entertainment system or download the airline’s app.

“In economy, crews will advise verbally what choices are on each flight menu,” Mr Brown said.

“You’ll still get your food on a tray with disposable knives and forks, other items will be washed and cleaned and sanitised and go back into our galley trolleys.”

Mr Brown said passengers must show their vaccine certificate before boarding and will have access to self-check-in services at the airport with drop-off kiosks for baggage.

Emirates is also one of many airlines using the IATA Travel Pass, a mobile app that allows travellers to store their vaccine information in one place so they can move across international borders more easily.

‘The IATA app gives you a biometric facial recognition and uploads your passport and can take your check-in data,” Mr Brown said.

“Then you can upload your flights, origin and destination and you’ll get automatic warnings of what PCR tests you need, where to get them and what you need to show.”

The Emirates Airbus A380 is making a comeback to Australia December 1.

Emirates’ changes to international flights come after Qantas CEO Alan Joyce called for fully vaccinated travellers to travel without needing to take a Covid test “at every turn” at the airline giant’s AGM last Friday.

When asked if he shared the same view as My Joyce, Mr Brown said: “I’ll let Alan do the hard yards on that.

“We have to make the travel experience more seamless and streamlined and take the stress out of it for people.

“If we could make it easier for people it would be great.”

Mr Brown said they have to only take double vaccinated passengers with a negative PCR test and assured them the airline has “complimentary Covid-19 cover”.

As per Australian Government regulations, travellers with Emirates must be double vaccinated.

But that rule does not apply to the rest of Emirates network.

“We’ve extended our flexible booking policies until 2022, if people change their minds we won’t penalise them and they are covered if they have to have a hospital check-in-in,” he said.

Economy passengers are also being encouraged to arrive 3.5 to four hours before their flight.

“When we are operating an A380 aircraft it takes 15 minutes to check in a passenger and we’d like people to be there with enough time,” he added.

Originally published as Emirates reveals changes for passengers ahead of December 1 takeoff from Australia