Vietnam Airlines gains top COVID-19 rating

Vietnam Airlines has achieved the top 7 star COVID-19 rating with the latest audit from Airlineratings.com AirlineRatings.com was the first to develop unique COVID-19 health ratings for airlines to give comfort to air travellers, whether about to make a flight or planning their next adventure. Flying in this unsettled world means travelling safely is now of paramount importance and significant new data services from AirlineRatings.com allow passengers to take the worry out of choosing an airline. READ: Massive effort to recertify 737 MAX AirlineRatings.com answers the question all travellers want to know - which airlines have implemented full COVID-19 protocols? For a COVID-19 compliance star as part of the overall safety rating, airlines must pass four of seven criteria: website information on COVID19 procedures; face masks for passengers; personal protection equipment for the crew; modified meal service; deep clean of aircraft, personal sanitizer kit and social distancing onboarding. These are based on criteria set out by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on regional and international safety guidelines. The new initiative is being been done exclusively with Skyscanner in the UK. Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said that "our team is reviewing compliance on a weekly basis,” said Thomas. "Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines have done outstanding work in controlling COVID-19,"  said Thomas. "It is not necessary to do any independent testing as the airline themselves are doing that where necessary and as long as the standards are followed passengers will have the ultimate in protection at the airport and on the aircraft." A representative of Vietnam Airlines said:  “During these unprecedented times, Vietnam Airlines has demonstrated phenomenal dedication to protecting our passengers and employees. "This commitment is exemplified by our enhancement of a series of safety measures that fully complies with international COVID-19 safety standards -- even exceeding SkyTeam’s recommendations -- while continuing to provide revamped services onboard and ground. "Being acknowledged by AirlineRatings.com is a testament to the continuous efforts across our organization. We are proud to receive top scores in hygiene and safety initiatives, and we take great pride in knowing that our passengers can travel with confidence. "We also hope that the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be made available for everyone, which will expedite the safe reopening of borders and facilitate the global recovery of aviation and tourism.” Thomas added that "it is a bit like the most dangerous part of the journey is the taxi or Uber ride to the airport and so it is with COVID-19. You are in far more danger of getting COVID-19 en route to the airport than at the airport or on the plane."