Etihad Airways resumes flights to UK with one major difference

Even though many experts are predicting international travel is still some time away, as lockdown restrictions start to ease in Australia and other countries, some airlines are starting to get back into gear already.

Etihad Airways for example will be begin to once again operate a regular scheduled service between Australia and the UK from as early as Friday.

From May 15, on regular scheduled service will begin operating from Melbourne to London Heathrow, with the airline also introduce services from London Heathrow to Melbourne from May 21.

However, there will be one major difference to the flight that may not be ideal to those who already dislike long haul travel and tight spaces.

“Your safety is always our main priority, but we’re taking extra steps to ensure the highest standards of hygiene at every point of your journey,” the airline explains on its website.

“You will remain on board when we land in Abu Dhabi.”

On top of this, Etihad said it had implemented “an extensive sanitisation and safety program”.

“We also recommend that you wear a face mask whilst you travel and wash your hands at regular intervals,” the statement continues.

“On board, we’ll make sure you are seated with as much space as possible between every guest, and we’ll offer our food and drinks service in line with important COVID-19 guidelines.”

Up until now the only flights from international carriers operating a service out of Australia to the UK were Cathay Pacific and Qatar, with United also operating a route via the US.

According to Skyscanner, London remained the top most searched trip from Sydney for the first two weeks of April, despite current travel restrictions.

And a recent survey also revealed that more than half of travellers from Australia and the Pacific region (52%) believe it will be safe to travel again internationally within six months.

“Despite the uncertainty that still prevails around how and when travel will be possible again in many markets, our research shows that traveller optimism is increasing week on week,” Paul Whiteway, Senior Director, APAC at Skyscanner said in a statement supplied to Yahoo Lifestyle.

“A large majority of travellers [82%] believe that it will be safe to travel again domestically within six months, and when it comes to international travel, more than half of the travellers in APAC are optimistic.”

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