Only Two European Airlines Rated 4.0 or Higher, Among the Lowest Across Regions
FEBRUARY 16, 2021: Even as countries inoculate their population with COVID-19 vaccines, resumption of air travel services, particularly international, is still expected to be gradual in 2021. Over the last year, airlines have implemented various initiatives to safeguard passengers and crew in the ‘new normal’. The widespread and varied nature of these initiatives called for industry benchmarking to boost traveler confidence and jumpstart industry recovery.
Launched during the pandemic, Safe Travel Barometer, is a travel technology solution provider, whose tool enables the industry to monitor and benchmark traveler experience and COVID-19 health and safety protocols of more than 2,000 suppliers across 10 industry categories. Specifically, Safe Travel Barometer tracks 32 initiatives across 268 airlines – both full-service and low-cost carriers (LCCs). The basis upon the publicly announced initiatives, airlines are benchmarked on the basis of a Safe Travel Score.
Safe Travel Barometer assessed initiatives of 74 European carriers in January 2021. Among them, only four carriers achieved a Safe Travel Score of 4.0 or higher – an indicator of how diverse inter-regional regulations, coupled with strict border closures are impacting airline operations.
Germany’s Lufthansa maintained its pole position across Europe for the third consecutive month, and more specifically among full-service carriers with a Safe Travel Score of 4.1 in January 2021. Among LCCs, Dublin-based Ryanair made it to the top of the leaderboard with a rating of 3.9.
The last few months have seen close competition between Lufthansa and Iberia (4.0), as they refresh the air travel experience for the post-pandemic era. In Europe, the next in line to score among the full-service carriers was the U.K.’s Virgin Atlantic Airways with a Safe Travel Score of 3.9. In fact, Lufthansa has the highest rating across all European carriers for various initiatives attributed to two sub-categories: COVID-19 Traveler Safety (85%) and Traveler Convenience (95%).
Safe Travel Score, Europe Full-Service Carriers, January 2021
Full-Service Carriers | Country | Safe Travel Score* (January 2021) |
Lufthansa | Germany | 4.1 |
| Iberia | Spain | 4.0 |
Virgin Atlantic | U.K. | 3.9 |
| Rossiya Airlines | Russia | 3.8 |
British Airways | U.K. | 3.8 |
| KLM | The Netherlands | 3.7 |
Austrian Airlines | Austria | 3.7 |
| Aeroflot Airlines | Russia | 3.7 |
Air France | France | 3.6 |
| TAP Air Portugal | Portugal | 3.5 |
View the Interactive Slide Show
In the case of LCCs, Ryanair enjoys a narrow lead over EasyJet and Eurowings (3.8 and 3.9, respectively). As the enactment of new initiatives adds to the operational costs, several European LCCs defer to travelers to carry their own masks rather than providing as onboard amenities. The self-service philosophy of LCCs, particularly when it comes to COVID-19 specific health & safety initiatives, is the primary reason for their relatively weak Safe Travel Score.
Safe Travel Score, Europe Low-Cost Carriers, January 2021
Low-Cost Carriers | Country | Safe Travel Score* (January 2021) |
Ryanair | Ireland | 3.9 |
| EasyJet | U.K. | 3.8 |
Eurowings | Germany | 3.7 |
| French Bee | France | 3.5 |
Air Baltic | Latvia | 3.5 |
| Iberia Express | Spain | 3.3 |
Volotea | Spain | 3.3 |
Transavia France | France | 3.3 |
| Blue Air | Romania | 3.2 |
| Vueling | Spain | 3.2 |
View the Interactive Slide Show
“European carriers are operating under extreme circumstances between ever-evolving travel regulations, border closures, the impact of Brexit, and potentially hotel quarantine for travelers upon arrival. These will no doubt impact travel decisions in the months to come and lead to regulations and compliance pertaining to travelers’ health. We believe that health will emerge as the fourth standard of travel, much like passports, visas, and security. This will fundamentally alter how airlines and travelers comply with destination regulations.” remarked Virendra Jain, Co-Founder, and CEO, Safe Travel Barometer.
To know more, check out the Safe Travel Barometer Dashboard for Airlines
NOTES AND DISCLAIMER:
- * Safe Travel Score for airlines is a rating initiative based on an independent assessment of more than 32 initiatives applicable to an air journey, across pre-boarding, boarding, and onboard experiences, announced by airlines.
- Safe Travel Score takes into consideration various initiatives announced by suppliers. These are sub-categorized into the following:
- COVID-19 Safety Protocols
- Traveler Convenience
- Service Excellence
- Low ratings may not always be reflective of poor initiatives, but also the lack of clear or available information on supplier websites, related official channels.
- Safe Travel Score should not be associated with the relative physical or psychological safety of the traveler.
About Safe Travel Barometer:
Safe Travel Barometer is a travel technology solution, developed by Safe Travel Technologies. It is the world’s most comprehensive solution of COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and traveler experience initiatives announced by suppliers that influence traveler decisions in the new normal. The coverage includes more than 2,000 companies across 10 industry categories, 100+ parameters, and traveler arrival information on more than 150 destinations.
Safe Travel Technologies is an independent subsidiary of VIDEC, a travel industry advisory and consulting firm.
Visit www.safetravelbarometer.com for more information on Safe Travel Score, explore other travel industry categories, countries of interest, and partnership inquiries.
For more information, please contact:
Mariko Amekodommo
Head – Marketing, Safe Travel Barometer
mariko.amekodommo@safetravelbarometer.com | https://www.safetravelbarometer.com