What Delta Airlines is doing to continue protecting passengers from COVID-19

Help Me Hank takes flight to see what it's like during pandemic

DETROIT – At a time when passengers are worried about others wearing masks and flights being too crowded, Local 4 got a firsthand look at how Delta Airlines is keeping everyone safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

READ: Delta to maintain social distancing while many other airlines end COVID-19 safety measures

Help Me Hank took a flight from Detroit to Denver to get a taste of the process.

The first things travelers will notice in the terminal are the hand sanitizer stations set up all around.

Downstairs at the McNamara Terminal, there were only a handful of people around when Hank took his trip. He was the only person going through security upstairs in the TSA pre-check line.

Items are placed in a tray that has a protective coating to help reduce germs.

Once through security, the terminal had average crowds. The good news was that everyone Hank saw was wearing a mask.

Some gates are closed and nobody is around at the areas of the lower- or higher-numbered gates. Many of the stores and restrooms in the terminal are also closed.

Cleaning crews are all around in the terminal.

At the gate, a protective shield is in place to separate travelers from the Delta gate agent.

While walking on the plane, passengers are handed a sanitizing wipe.

Delta keeps middle seats open, and flights can be around half full.

Before the safety video ran, a new video played, showing what Delta is doing to protect passengers from the coronavirus. That includes electrostatic spraying in the aircraft before each flight, a limited number of people on board and a filtration system to circulate and clean the air.

You can watch the video of Hank Winchester’s trip above.


About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.