Garuda To Drop Face Masks After Passengers Complain They Can’t See Cabin Crew’s Smiles.

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is planning to replace the face masks worn by its flight attendants with an alternative form of personal protective equipment (PPE) after passengers complained that the masks affected their perception of the cabin crew’s hospitality.

Since the airline resumed domestic flights in May, Flight attendants have worn face masks and gloves as part of the health protocols put in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

However, Garuda president Irfan Setiaputra said the company received many complaints from passengers saying that they could not see the faces of the cabin crew clearly when they had face masks on. "Many Garuda customers have complained about the flight attendants wearing masks as the passengers cannot see whether or not the flight attendants are smiling or frowning,” Irfan said in a virtual discussion monitored by Aviation roundtable blog.

Garuda Indonesia airlines would gradually issue face shields in place of face masks following the complaints. "With this, human interaction on the plane can still occur, although minimized, and everyone can feel safe but also comfortable."

Garuda cabin crew would still wear masks and gloves for the time being, adding that a timeframe for the new policy would be announced later.

Garuda Indonesia airlines is a 5 star rated airline by skytrax. The airline boost of a strong fleet of over 140 aircrafts flying to around 100 destinations.