Flight travel during Covid

[stampsx2]

Just wondering what everybody’s thoughts are on flight travel these days? Are you super against any sort of flight travel or are you not letting covid change your plans but being cautious of course?

If you have travelled, how was your expirience and level of safety on board your flight and at your destination? Do you find the airlines are taking appropriate steps to insure everyone’s safety? Do you find that people generally follow the mask rules?

If you would fly but aren’t, what’s stopping you? Is it the 2 week quarantine? Is it the lack of flights to a particular destination? Is it the fear of not being able to return?

If you are super against any form of air travel i’d love to hear your thoughts. From what i understand, air travel itself isn’t shown to be a big spreader of covid. Then again, perhaps i’m wrong.

If you’re Westjet, Air Canada or Sunwing i’ll spare you the time and write that you’re doing everything in your power to insure everyone’s safety. Please fly.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Is it the lack of flights to a particular destination? Is it the fear of not being able to return?

Out of curiosity has this been a problem? Have people (citizens and permanent residents) not been allowed to return to Canada? I am a permanent resident of Canada/US citizen and had to spend 3 months in the states for work. I returned yesterday (by vehicle) and it was not a hassle to get into the US when I left in July or get back in the Canada when I returned yesterday.

[Calgary14]

This time of year we would typically go to southern states for some sun. Not this year. I’m not sure flying itself is safe as far as covid goes then you throw in the airport fiasco of security, check in, etc. To me it’s just not worth it. That’s the travel, then when we get there it’s a covid hot bed. If something were to happen down there that’s covid related it would be a nightmare dealing with insurance, and that’s if we even had coverage. Potentially one huge headache of a trip.

I think a study came out recently showing flying is safe but pretty sure it was coordinated and paid for by United Airlines.

[vegasbound]

I usually go to Arizona first week of December but unless the quarantine restrictions lift, I won't be this year. I am flying to Kelowna next week because flying is cheaper than driving right now so definitely not opposed to flying.

[Amethyst]

No interest in flying these days.

1) Usually I fly for a vacation. Between restrictions and outbreaks, it doesn't sound like any destination would be "fun" at the moment.
2) They can publish all the studies they want, I have no desire to sit on an airplane for hours, next to a stranger, masked or not.
3) If I were to get Covid, I would much rather be at home than somewhere else. Even if the place had great medical care and money wasn't a concern, I don't want to be "stuck" somewhere while I'm sick. And a lot of places I travel would likely have worse medical care than Canada.
4) The airlines stole $550 from me, by cancelling my flight and refusing to give me a refund (unlike American and European carriers). I'm still bitter about that and have no desire to support them at the moment.

Since I do have a credit (with ridiculous conditions) as a result of #4, I likely will take a flight within Canada at some point, but only to Saskatoon or Vancouver.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

No interest in flying these days.

1) Usually I fly for a vacation. Between restrictions and outbreaks, it doesn't sound like any destination would be "fun" at the moment.
2) They can publish all the studies they want, I have no desire to sit on an airplane for hours, next to a stranger, masked or not.
3) If I were to get Covid, I would much rather be at home than somewhere else. Even if the place had great medical care and money wasn't a concern, I don't want to be "stuck" somewhere while I'm sick. And a lot of places I travel would likely have worse medical care than Canada.
4) The airlines stole $550 from me, by cancelling my flight and refusing to give me a refund (unlike American and European carriers). I'm still bitter about that and have no desire to support them at the moment.

Since I do have a credit (with ridiculous conditions) as a result of #4, I likely will take a flight within Canada at some point, but only to Saskatoon or Vancouver.

That’s fair. Just curious on your thoughts about Halloween or eating at a restaurant or sending kids to school. All arguably equally risky or riskier than sitting next to a couple people on a plane.

Not arguing with you. Just curious.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

That’s fair. Just curious on your thoughts about Halloween or eating at a restaurant or sending kids to school. All arguably equally risky or riskier than sitting next to a couple people on a plane.

Not arguing with you. Just curious.

Well until I heard about this recent study, I assumed the "safe on a plane" message was airline propaganda.

Pretty much everything has some degree of risk. I choose which ones to take based on what I enjoy the most / what's most important to me and at this point, flying isn't.

Also, regarding restaurants, I'm in a restaurant two hours max and can walk out at any point if I'm uncomfortable. A two hour flight wouldn't bother me much more than a restaurant, although the only person sitting beside me in a restaurant is someone in my cohort.

[Ryan Coke]

Did you read some of the info I posted yesterday about safety on planes?

I don’t want to convince anyone that they should travel if they don’t want, but I like to help educate people who want to but are just feeling unsure.

I not only go to work and get in airplanes somewhat regularly, but I have also travelled in the back several times as well, and with my kids and wife. Obviously I am comfortable with the actual process of flying, and it is based on evidence and the statistically small risks of catching the virus.

As for locations, I would and have gone to places in Canada. I would have to really consider where I went elsewhere based on risk, but if it was somewhere that had similar levels of infection as we do, then I would likely do it and take precautions, just as I do here at home.

I would happily go to Hawaii at this point, and they have a test on arrival program there now, but the hurdle is still the 14 day quarantine on return.

Happy to provide any other info if I can help. Again, I’m not trying to convince anyone who doesn’t want to travel, but it’s good to measure true risk and make decisions based on that.

[Amethyst]

I didn't, because even without Covid, there is no chance I'd be flying somewhere at this time of year. I just thought the original post had some interesting questions.

I may, at some point, take a flight to visit my parents (in Canada). That will depend more on what is happening in each of our communities at the time than anything to do with the flight.

Sitting next to someone on a flight was something I never enjoyed to begin with, so throwing Covid into the mix just makes it even less desirable. And regardless of the degree of Covid risk at the destination, if it exists, there is still a chance of getting stuck there. And I don't want to take a chance being stuck somewhere else, even somewhere as beautiful as Hawaii.

[Ryan Coke]

Sorry Amethyst, I meant my post to be directed to the OP not you.

I can understand where your coming from though.

[bizaro86]

I flew to Grande Prairie in early July. Everything about it felt 100% safe. Everyone wore masks with no issues (and this was before Calgary's mandate and shortly after it became mandatory on planes), the flight was only partially full, and the airport was basically empty.

I have more close contact with people buying groceries.

I would be willing to fly again for a vacation, but I can't sign up for a mandatory 14 day quarantine. If it is still in place by spring I will probably do a flight to BC, but would prefer to go somewhere warmer. I would book multiple trips right away if the 14 day quarantine ended. Weather and covid status would be the biggest factors - I think Hawaii would be a likely option.

[Dynamic]

If the government approves a rapid test that can be done on arrival to eliminate the 2 week quarantine, I’m booking flights immediately. If that doesn’t happen I’m throwing the idea around the idea of me and my kids doing Vancouver or Victoria trip maybe November. Looking on Expedia and it’s actually pretty cheap. It would feel good to throw the airlines some buisness, keep a hotel room occupied for a few days, and spend a bit of tourism dollars around.

I’m not scared for me or my kids unless we go full blown outbreaks all over. Take precautions, live life.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Did you read some of the info I posted yesterday about safety on planes?

I don’t want to convince anyone that they should travel if they don’t want, but I like to help educate people who want to but are just feeling unsure.

I not only go to work and get in airplanes somewhat regularly, but I have also travelled in the back several times as well, and with my kids and wife. Obviously I am comfortable with the actual process of flying, and it is based on evidence and the statistically small risks of catching the virus.

As for locations, I would and have gone to places in Canada. I would have to really consider where I went elsewhere based on risk, but if it was somewhere that had similar levels of infection as we do, then I would likely do it and take precautions, just as I do here at home.

I would happily go to Hawaii at this point, and they have a test on arrival program there now, but the hurdle is still the 14 day quarantine on return.

Happy to provide any other info if I can help. Again, I’m not trying to convince anyone who doesn’t want to travel, but it’s good to measure true risk and make decisions based on that.

My in-laws have been flying back and forth from Fort Lauderdale to Asheville, N.C. for months now. They've probably taken about 20 flights at this point. They wear masks and plastic shields just to be sure. The flight is short (just under 2 hours), and there haven't really been many problems with other passengers. Just one time they had people behind them who weren't wearing masks, and they were nervous for sure, but nothing came of it and they were fine. These are people in their 60's, but are in relatively good health.

I also read early on that the ventilation and filtration systems on planes make it so that the only real risk is from people in your immediate vicinity. That seems to have been vindicated as the correct assessment of risk, as the recent study points out.


All that being said, I'm not flying anywhere unless it's absolutely necessary. Case in point, we decided to go up to the in-law's place in Asheville for the summer with the kids. It was an 10 hour drive with no stops, so we made it in a day, but not without a lot of headache from kids under 5 who can't sit still that long and require constant entertainment and snacks. It was still worth it, as I can't imagine containing small children in an airport or on an airplane well enough to avoid the risk of contamination. It was worth my peace of mind to know that we could travel without that risk of infection. We even thought twice about stopping anywhere to use the bathroom.


I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's relatively safe to fly, and if one decides that they have to do it, they should. However, I also think that if you don't need to take the risk, you shouldn't. It's just one less thing you have to worry about.

[Torture]

Just got back from a work trip for an acquisition in Winnipeg. Have been working from home so having to travel feels like a pretty big step up in risk but not much choice. *Shrug*

Airport was way busier than I expected. Obvs international terminal was dead but domestic was pretty crowded. Flight was full both ways which I found surprising. Varying levels of social distance in the airport. Most of the time you were able to keep 2M but you got the usual "must load plane ASAP" so there wasn't a whole lot during loading and of course, every seat was full on the plane. A couple people hacking up a storm on the way back so I'm just waiting for the email that there was a confirmed positive on the flight....


Overall, was strange. Didn't feel 100% comfortable but it also could have been worse? Idk. Wouldn't do it as a vacation but if I have to for work on occasion I'll do it and take all the precautions I can.

[SportsJunky]

We still aren't flying in my company. I'm in no rush to get back into airports and on planes but I am looking forward to getting out of my home office at some point. It has been a strange year.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

We still aren't flying in my company. I'm in no rush to get back into airports and on planes but I am looking forward to getting out of my home office at some point. It has been a strange year.

As a general rule, we aren't either, and any travel has to be approved as business critical. I and the rest of the team that travelled this week have to stay away from our stores from the next 10 days.
I can work from home so no change for me....Our store managers that travelled get a paid vacation for the next week.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I see this as a bit of a mix.

I had to travel for extenuating circumstances twice recently.

Being in the airport was awesome. Security lines minimal and efficient. The plane filters its air and turns it over regularly. Flights were not quite at capacity so we could pick seats at the back with a wee bit more room.

1 of 4 flights I heard somebody within a few rows coughing. Repeatedly. Hated that uncertainty.

Otherwise, people were pretty good. People were generally masked, the process was efficient.. it was more pleasant than the usual airport experience.

The thing I am concerned about though is more the combinations of general acceptance of flying as lower risk, and the higher proportion of idiots travelling

[Huntingwhale]

I have flown a couple times the past couple months. Took a domestic to Vancouver in August, then a flight to Poland last month. Both times were probably the most relaxing flights I've ever had. No hassle at the airports due to the lack of lines at check-in and security. No delays. If I did have to pick something to complain about, it's the requirement to wear a mask the entire time throughout the airport and on the plane. While it's not exactly comfortable, it's a small price to pay.

The flights themselves had nothing very different other than the masks. I had someone sit beside me on my flight to FRA and the flight was about 80% full, so social distancing wasn't in full effect (this was with Lufthansa). The flight attendants don't come around as often unless you called for them. But they still did the usual drink/meal services.

When I arrived at my transfer it both Frankfurt and Warsaw it was the same rules; masks at the airport and planes at all times. The lines for passport control were short and I got processed very quickly.

Overall it was some of the easiest times I've had travelling. The empty airports are eerie since I feel it represents a negative aspect of this pandemic. However from my own personal selfish perspective it was really nice to not have to deal with big lines or crowds of people.

[speede5]

I have flown back and forth Germany to Regina 3 times since march and a business tri to Austria while here.

Everything being done by the airlines and airports seems reasonable and manageable. I feel quite safe onboard as most people wear the masks properly and you only have them off to eat/drink. Check in, security and boarding are working fine.

The overseas flights are so empty. I came back on Monday in a 777 with only 50 pax. AC is still using the 777 because they can carry more cargo but man the cabin feels like a warehouse. Nice to be able to take a whole row for a nap and everyone is in good spirits.

Food sucks as they are still serving cold box meals, but when has airline food in economy ever really been that great. This last trip they were serving drinks again which was nice, the earlier trips only bottled water.

In country flights are ~80% full. My trip to Austria was on full a/c.

The only thing I've seen that was disappointing was landing in Regina and seeing everyone waiting in the terminal to collect pax, and not a mask in sight. Everywhere else you can't even go in the terminal without a mask, some places won't even let non-pax in. But good ole SK everyone just doesn't GAF. It's embarassing.

Oh, and hotels near airports are empty. Spookily empty.

[Strange Brew]

Finally looks like Canada will embrace testing in lieu of the impossible to enforce 14 day quarantine for international travelers. Just in time for holidays I hope.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/toronto...39fcd0841/amp/