U.S. Carriers Fall Short in Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Rating

An American Airlines crewmember cleans a seatback as part of the carrier's comprehensive cleaning program. Photo courtesy: American Airlines

In their latest report, two legacy carriers, along with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue, were given a four-star COVID-19 safety rating by the passenger experience review company.

Four-Star Rating Represents “Good Quality Level” for COVID-19 Precautions

According to Skytrax, their rating system “evaluates over 190 safety and hygiene protocols introduced by airlines during COVID-19 to enhance customer and staff safety.” Their considerations include pre-boarding social distancing, cleaning system effectiveness across the airline’s terminal spaces and onboard environments, and hygiene protection measures.

In total, 18 international carriers were given the top rating by Skytrax for their approach to creating a safer environment for passengers. Among the names offering exceptional service are Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Air France, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air. Skytrax describes their five-star rating as confirming “excellent airport processing standards that considers all practical elements of contactless technology, customer handling, and social distancing protocols…a high standard of cleanliness procedures and consistency [in airport lounges]…[and] Onboard cleanliness and cabin presentation is at an excellent quality level.”

Alaska, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines were the only four U.S.-based airlines to get a Skytrax rating, all coming in at four stars. The four-star rating confirms a “good quality level” for airport processing, lounge safety and aircraft cleaning. Joining the four carriers are other major international airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

Delta Air Lines and several other U.S.-based airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, were not rated by Skytrax.

Ratings Come as Airlines Look Towards Future of Flying Safety

The Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Ratings are released as airlines start to look forward to the future of “safe travel.” At the beginning of February 2022, a group of over 25 travel organizations petitioned the White House to drop COVID testing requirements for fully vaccinated inbound international travelers, while new Southwest Airlines chief executive Bob Jordan said he expects the face mask mandate to end by the summer of 2022.