We’re back in airports again: my new charter of travellers’ rights

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Travel is back. After the Government’s decision to scrap the green and amber list of “Covid-safe” countries and President Biden’s long overdue move to welcome back British travellers to the US in November, bookings on Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are up almost 1,000 per cent.

Soon, many of us who have not travelled abroad for the best part of two years will take our seats in a metal tube and remember how good it feels to break through the clouds into private sunshine, on the way to somewhere —anywhere — away. We’re all too excited to feel any flight shame.

But in our excitement let’s not let the moment go to waste. Although they have been very hard, lockdowns have changed so much for the better. Flexible working, digital healthcare services, reshoring of jobs, increased environmental awareness, the re-invention of the high street — these are all improvements to the way we live and work.

Let’s make sure we use the great reset to improve travel for good, too. To get things started, here is my post-Covid charter of travellers’ rights.

Airlines

Before flying: Give us clear calculations of carbon emissions per seat, per cabin to enable us to book the least polluting flights. And offer us carbon removal, not offsets. Let us pre-order food to guarantee we get what we want and nothing goes to waste. Ditto for duty free to be waiting for us at the gate/on board, or, even better, on arrival.

On board: reliable wi-fi — paid for, if necessary — for those who need to work (or want to watch live sport). Guaranteed family seating. “Headphones on” rule for children watching iPads. Fewer long-winded announcements, especially on overnight flights. Please keep the new system where people disembark by rows, to stop the usual scrum. On BA, bigger free bottles of water in economy — and a free tea or coffee in the morning. We’ll pay for the evening G&T if you insist.

When things go wrong: Guaranteed cash refunds (no vouchers) when problems hit and flights are cancelled and easier re-booking.

Heathrow and Gatwick airports

More Border Force immigration staff on duty at London’s hubs at all times — three-hour queues to get into the country do not shout “Global Britain”. All the immigration e-gates available for use and updated to the latest travel rules.

Roll-out from Terminal 2 to all the other terminals the new X-rays that can scan hand luggage without the need to remove liquids and electrical equipment. Make the experience “touch free”. At Dubai International new facial recognition technology means you can walk from the kerb to your flight without touching a screen or handing over a boarding pass. And install more (touch-free) water fountains, so we can fill up our own bottles.

Hotels

Advance app-based check-in and check-out to put an end to queuing at reception on arrival (when we’re tired) and queueing again on departure (when we’re late for our flights).

Windows that open. No more clever lighting in bedrooms. On/off is fine (especially after a few drinks). More family rooms, with small kitchens, washing machines and separate bedrooms for the kids. Free soft drinks in all mini bars, including cold tap water and fresh milk for tea and coffee.

Complimentary wi-fi for basic services, such as email. We’ll pay to stream. A fleet of bicycles to use and local cycle maps. Kids under 10 eat free.

Hire cars and road travel

Free sat-nav with all hire cars. More charging points for electric cars. Healthier food at service stations.

Trains

More quiet carriages. Guaranteed family seating. More sleeper trains. Let’s learn from the Germans who are re-starting overnight services across Europe.

Government

Build an app that helps travellers navigate vaccine rules and work with travel operators and airlines to make it easy to upload documents to our phones. All too often travellers upload their negative test result certificates and passenger locator forms only to get a “computer says no” message. The same at museums and galleries, too, to speed up entry.

What would be in your post-Covid charter of travellers’ rights? Let us know in the comments below.

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