British Airways COVID-19 safety policies

British Airways coronavirus measures at the airport and onboard British Airways flights to provide a safer air travel experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check the safety measures here and find out what it will be like flying with British Airways during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 information is summarised from British Airways website which can be viewed HERE

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British Airways COVID-19 safety policies

British Airways COVID-19 policies

View the British Airways COVID-19 policies

At the Airport

Checking in

Can you still use the check-in desks to check in for your flight?
Yes, our colleagues will be there to check you in, but we would recommend that you either check in on our app or on Manage My Booking from the comfort of your home. Don't forget to download your boarding pass as it's quick and easy and you can save up to eight boarding passes on one device. Alternatively, you can use our self-service check-in kiosks once you arrive at the airport.

Hand Baggage

Are there any changes to hand baggage allowance?
No, but we will ask you to check your bag in if it does exceed our hand baggage allowance requirements.

Flight boarding

Will there be any changes to the boarding process?
Yes, we’ll be trialling a boarding process for both our short-haul and long-haul flights. We will board from the rear of the aircraft to the front (if you’re travelling in First, then you will board first from the first row to the back row of the cabin). Please check your boarding pass for your row number and seat e.g. 15C.

Will you need to remove your face mask at the boarding gate?
Yes, all face masks and protective guards must be completely removed when you reach the boarding gate. Please make sure your passport is open at the correct page.

Lounges

Changes at the lounges

BA lounges
Our Galleries South Club, Galleries North Club and Galleries First lounges at Heathrow, Terminal 5 are open. We have introduced a number of measures to ensure the health, well-being and safety of you and our colleagues, including safe distance markers and sanitising stations throughout the lounge. We’ve worked with our suppliers to provide a clean and safe environment for customers and our colleagues from the preparation and delivery of food to cleaning the bathrooms, communal and seat areas. To minimise contact, we’ve launched a new online site ‘Your Menu’ where you’ll be able to order your own food and drink and which (once it’s been submitted) will be brought directly to you. We have also introduced contactless lounge entry screens at the entrance of our Galleries Club South lounge where you’ll be able to scan your own boarding pass. You can also request a Welcome Card with a guide on how you can make your stay with us more comfortable. Third party and partner lounges As a result of Covid-19 lounge facilities are offered at selected locations only.

How often will the communal areas in the lounges be cleaned?
We have a dedicated team who will be cleaning and disinfecting each seat, and the surrounding area, after every use. We ask that you leave the blue card you have on display, so our team can prepare the area for the next person.

Are the bathrooms open?
Yes, they are. We would ask you to follow the safe distance markers. Our dedicated team will clean the bathrooms after every use.

What changes are being made to the food and drinks service in the lounge?
To minimise contact in the lounge, we have launched a ‘Your Menu’ website which allows you to order food and drink from the comfort of your seat. We’ll be offering separate morning and afternoon menus with a choice of hot and cold food or drinks which will be delivered directly to you.

Onboard the flight

Face masks

We ask all customers to wear a face mask at all times in while on board unless you qualify for the government exemption list. You're allowed to remove your face mask for a reasonable time to enable you to eat or drink. When food and drink is not being consumed, the face mask must be placed back on and must cover the nose and mouth at all times. As a guide, a face mask could last up to 4 hours, so please make sure that you bring enough for the duration of your trip.

Sanitiser

Will you be providing any wipes or hand sanitiser?
Once you have boarded the aircraft, we will be offering all our customers a personal protection pack which contains an antibacterial wipe and hand sanitiser gel. We will also provide you with a sealable disposal bag to dispose of any personal protective equipment you may have e.g. face mask.

Where do you dispose of your masks on board?
Please use the sealable disposal bag that will be provided to you as part of your personal protection pack to safely dispose of any personal protection equipment, including face masks. Please do not place your face masks or any item from your personal protection pack in the seat pocket or other storage areas. The sealed bags will be collected by our cabin crew as part of waste collection.

Stowing hand baggage

Can you use the overhead lockers to store your hand baggage/items?
Yes, however we ask you to remove any items that you may need during the flight to minimise your movement. We would ask you to stow your hand baggage underneath the seat in front of you, if you are able to.

Meals & beverages

What meals and drinks will be available on board if you’re travelling in short-haul economy class?
From 16 June, we will offer complimentary refreshments along with a bottle of water. Please speak to a member of crew if you would like a juice or hot drink. Any changes will be published on this page.

What food and drinks will be available on board if you’re travelling in short-haul business class?
From 16 June, we will offer a light snack (breakfast or all-day option) offered with a selection of drinks, including soft drinks, juices, water or a hot drink. We will also have a selection of alcoholic drinks; these will be served either as miniatures or individual quarter bottles, please speak to a member of our crew. Our cabin crew will be able to provide you with details of choices available and any allergen advice. Any changes will be published on this page.

What food and drinks will be available on board if you’re travelling in long-haul premium economy or long-haul economy class?
From 16 June, we will be offering a bar service with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The alcoholic drinks will be served either as miniatures or individual quarter bottles. This will be followed by a meal service (breakfast or all-day option), offered with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Our cabin crew will be able to provide you with details of choices available and any allergen advice. Any changes will be published.

What food and drinks will be available on board if you’re travelling in long-haul business class
From 16 June, we will be offering a bar service with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The alcoholic drinks will be served either as miniatures or individual quarter bottles. This will be followed by a meal service (breakfast or all-day option), offered with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Our cabin crew will be able to provide you with details of choices available and any allergen advice. Any changes will be published.

What food and drinks will be available on board if you’re travelling in long-haul first class
From 16 June, we will be offering a bar service with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The alcoholic drinks will be served either as miniatures or individual quarter bottles. Dining on board is enhanced to offer an a la carte menu with safely pre-packaged options, offering a range of hot and cold items. Our cabin crew will be able to provide you with details of choices available and any allergen advice. Any changes will be published.

Toilets onboard

Can you use the toilets on board?
Yes you can. We would ask you to only get up when the green ‘vacant’ sign is lit to avoid queueing.

Pillows & blankets

Will you still be providing pillows, blankets and duvets?
Yes, these will only be available on our long-haul flights. Our blankets and bedding will also be individually wrapped to guarantee cleanliness. Loungewear will be provided in First class.

Amenity kits

Will you still receive a washbag in First, Business and Premium economy class?
Yes, this will be provided on all long-haul flights.

Cleaning

Lounge cleaning

Aircraft cleaning

How often are the aircraft cleaned?
We sanitise the key surfaces on our aircraft after every flight, and clean it from nose to tail every day.

What areas are cleaned after each flight?
We sanitise the key surfaces including your seat, armrest, tray tables, seat belt buckle, stowage area and toilets.

What are HEPA filters and how are they used?
The air in our cabins is made up of fresh air drawn from outside (and heated significantly above virus-killing temperatures), and air that has passed through High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These remove even the tiniest particles from the air, down to microscopic bacteria and virus clusters, with over 99.9% efficiency. Cabin air is filtered and renewed every two to three minutes. It meets the standards for hospital operating theatres, and significantly exceeds the criteria for other buildings and public spaces.

Arrivals

Deplaning

What is the process for leaving the aircraft?
Please listen carefully to the announcements on board where our cabin crew will explain the process. We will be asking you to disembark in small groups by row number so please do not leave your seat and retrieve any personal belongings from the overhead lockers until invited to do so.

Collecting baggage

Where do you collect your baggage if you have checked it in?
Please follow the same process as usual but maintain your distance from other travellers once you have left the aircraft. At the Arrivals Hall, there will be signage around the carousels to help you. We would recommend that only one person in your party goes to the carousel if possible.

Disclaimer

The Ratings shown on this website show headline extracts of the key areas used in final assessment and grading. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in our web pages, the content is naturally subject to change and Skytrax cannot guarantee its accuracy or currency. We reserve the right to make changes to the information on the site without notice.