Delta Air Lines yesterday shared how it is testing and improving air quality for its passengers. The Atlanta-based carrier is replacing the current filtering systems that pump air into jetbridges and parked planes. They will be overhauled with LEED Platinum MERV14 filters, which will give a 40% reduction in air particles.
A significant task
According to a press release seen by Simple Flying, by the middle of this month, the carrier will replace these systems. As a result, there will be cleaner air in these spaces that customers pass through during boarding and disembarking.
Altogether, over 600 gates at 31 airports where the airline operates will undergo this transformation. Moreover, the carrier is looking to expand to more hubs in the coming months. Ultimately, Delta wants its passengers to breathe easier both on and off the plane with these sustainable, modern filters.
Part of a broader strategy
Delta chief customer experience officer Bill Lentsch spoke of his airline’s determination to ensure that there are high standards of safety across the company. He said that these measures form part of a wider cleanliness initiative.
“Our always-on, relentless push to ensure employees and customers remain safe and confident is why we developed the Delta CareStandard in the first place, and it’s why we are working to better understand the travel environment and confirm that what we are doing is working,” Lentsch said, as per the press release.
“Our Global Cleanliness team will continue to collect, analyze and act on scientific and customer sentiment data to help us implement effective measures throughout the journey.”
With these goals, Delta is replacing HEPA filters in the aircraft twice as often than what is recommended. These systems are more crucial than ever amid the concerns surrounding the global health crisis. They can filter 99.97% of airborne microbes. There is also renewed air every two to six minutes.
A priority for the company
Ultimately, Delta says that keeping the air that its passengers and staff members breathe clean and safe air on their services is one of the foundational layers of protection that it aims to provide. Therefore, it is working with health industry leaders to measure and validate the effectiveness of the safety measures that are taken on.
The airline is making good ground on its targets as studies show that the air during a flight is much cleaner than the air sampled in other indoor locations. For instance, it is more hygienic than homes, general stores, and restaurants.
Altogether, Delta has not slowed down when it comes to safety initiatives in the current climate. From the beginning, it has been proactive when it comes to enhancing cleaning procedures. Additionally, it has shown a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to the wearing of face masks, with hundreds of fliers banned for refusing to wear a covering.
What are your thoughts about how Delta is testing and improving air quality for its passengers? Do you feel that the airline is doing good work in this field? Let us know what you think of the initiatives in the comment section.
