Coronavirus: Air Canada insists on pre-flight customer temperature checks

In a sweeping range of measures, the Canadian airline has stopped offering pillows and blankets – and removed its inflight magazine

Lonely planet: Toronto airport, the hub for Air Canada, is far quieter than normal (Simon Calder)

As airlines and airports demand global action to enhance passenger confidence about flying, Air Canada is insisting on taking the temperature of every passenger.

The Canadian airline says no one will be allowed to board its flights without consenting to, and passing, a pre-departure temperature check.

Passengers must also complete a health questionnaire, which will be assessed before they are cleared to board.

“The new programme is designed to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19,” Air Canada said in a statement.

The airline is also guaranteeing that no economy passenger will find another traveller in the adjacent seat – at least until the end of June.

In a sweeping range of measures to contend with coronavirus, Air Canada has stopped offering pillows and blankets. But it is giving every passengers a “care kit” for hand cleaning and hygiene.

Calin Rovinescu, the president and CEO, said: “While we are eager to see the reopening of economies and the restart of commercial aviation, the safety of our customers and employees is Air Canada's core value and we aim to establish the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and attention to public health guidelines.

“We are now the first airline in the Americas to administer pre-flight temperature checks system-wide.”

Anyone who fails the check “will be rebooked at no cost but be required to obtain medical clearance prior to travel”.

Air Canada is currently flying daily from London Heathrow airport to its main hub in Toronto.

It promises “electrostatic spraying of cabin interiors” as well as the use of “hospital grade disinfectant” between flights to maintain cabin cleanliness.

The airline’s inflight magazine, enRoute, has been removed from seatback pockets.

Under a new Canadian law, every airline passenger must carry a face covering, for use at check-in, during boarding and as directed while on board the plane.