Danielle JeanjaquetThe Covid-19 pandemic has made flying quite difficult. No longer is it so easy to spend a weekend at the beach, take a day trip to a nearby city, or make that summer getaway to Europe!
I’ve had to cancel many of my own travel plans because of the pandemic. I’m sure some of you have done so as well. I have a hard time staying in one place for too long, so quarantine life has been rough! It’s an uncertain and stressful time for all of us.
While I so badly just want to get back to exploring the world and traveling as I please, our safety, as well as the safety of our fellow humans, should be our first priority!
Flying during a pandemic is likely the most risky way to travel. Think about all the different people you might pass walking through an airport. You don’t know where they’ve been!
Of course, sometimes travel by airplane just can’t be avoided. I confess that I flew to Kansas in June to visit my boyfriend’s family. However, there are ways for you to reduce potential exposure and ensure the safest journey possible. Here are some things you might like to know before you book your flight or head to the airport!
Before we jump in, a little disclaimer: I’m certainly not a scientist, doctor, or virus expert. As I said, safety is the highest priority. I highly recommend that you follow CDC guidelines when flying during the Covid-19 pandemic by wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and sanitizing/washing your hands regularly.
If you, or someone you often come in contact with, is especially susceptible to the virus, please stay home. And, keep an eye out for a blog I’ll soon be posting about some fun “staycation” ideas!
Booking Your Flight
At this time, the airlines have reduced the amount of flights they send out on a daily basis. I highly recommend booking your flight far in advance to ensure that you have availability on your desired travel dates.
Also, if you want to avoid exposure as much as possible, it’d be a good idea to book direct flights, rather than those requiring a layover in another airport.
Choosing an Airline
When choosing which airline you’d like to fly with, keep in mind that only certain companies are blocking off their middle rows and/or aisle seats.
Currently, Delta and JetBlue are among those limiting capacity.
Many other airlines are still choosing to fly with all seats full.
If this concerns you, be sure to check on the airline’s individual COVID policies before booking a flight with them.
Changing or Canceling Your Flight
One good thing about flying during a pandemic is that many airlines have altered their policies to allow for changes and cancellations with no additional cost.
Some airlines, like United, will even notify you if your flight is at full capacity, and give you the opportunity to switch to a less full flight!
Check the airline’s updated policies before booking to see if you’d be able to change/cancel your flight if needed. Things are changing everyday – you’ll want to have a contingency plan just in case traveling to your destination is no longer an option.
Face Mask Requirements
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 while flying, all airlines require their passengers to wear a face covering while onboard a plane! Exceptions are when you are eating or drinking, or if you have a medical condition that does not allow for the use of face masks.
Many airports require you to wear masks through the security line as well, while other airports require them throughout the entire building (LAX, DIA).
Even if the airport is not requiring face masks, it’s still highly encouraged that you wear one!
Most people were wearing face masks throughout the airport when I was flying through Atlanta and Chicago. Trust me, people will give you some judgmental looks if you don’t.
And, if you forget or lose your mask, either the airport or the airlines will provide you with one at the security checkpoint or your designated gate.
Other Covid-19 Flying Rules
It might be comforting to know that airport security and employees are doing so much work to ensure that everyone is following adequate safety measures throughout the airport!
If you are sick, don’t fly. People who have displayed any kind of COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to fly.
Security checkpoints and boarding policies have been modified to allow for as little contact with others as possible. Planes will now board from the back to the front, and only a few rows will be called at a time, so keep an ear out for your designated row number, instead of your boarding group.
In-flight food and drink service has also been reduced or eliminated altogether. While some flights will still hand out a snack and water in a plastic baggy, you may want to bring your own food or buy a water bottle before boarding!
Staying Safe During a Pandemic
You can help everyone out by following airport rules! Here are some additional flying guidelines that can help you and the people around you stay safe from Covid-19:
- Download a mobile boarding pass on your phone in order to ensure a touchless check-in.
- Give others six feet of distance when standing in lines or going to the bathroom.
- Avoid airport cafes, restaurants, and water fountains if possible.
- Bring your own travel-sized hand sanitizer (maybe even two, so that you’ll be prepared if you lose one).
- Be wary of the elderly and young children – it’s especially important to give them extra space!
- Use cleansing wipes to sanitize any tables or seats you are about to use, as well as the handle of your luggage once you pick it up from baggage claim.
- Keep your air vents on – planes have excellent filtration systems, and keeping the air vents open will improve ventilation in your area of the plane!
Have you recently traveled by airplane during this pandemic? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear all about it in a comment below!
As always, please stay safe, and keep up that spirit of hope and positivity, whatever you do!
One day, we will get through this.
[…] And, if you’re looking for more Covid-related travel tips, check out this guide for Flying During the Pandemic. […]