How risky is it to fly during the coronavirus pandemic?
Flying can increase your risk of exposure to the infection, but airlines are taking some precautions, and you can too.
Air travel means spending time at security lines and airport terminals, putting you in close contact with other people. As the ride slowly recovers, the planes get busier, which means you will likely sit close to other people, often for hours, increasing your risk.
Once on a plane, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily due to the way air circulates, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Airlines also say they are They are focusing on disinfecting hard surfaces that passengers often touch.
Some airlines such as Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest are blocking middle seats or limiting capacity. But even if each middle seat is empty, it’s likely that it’s closer to the recommended 6-foot distance to another passenger now that the planes are filling up.
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12 tips that can get you through the airport as fast as possible
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Request TSA PreCheck status
Signing up to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can help you save valuable time by keeping your shoes, belts and jackets light as you go through security. You also don’t have to remove your laptop or any liquid from your bag.
It will help you traverse a fast line over the Thanksgiving weekend, as well as every time you travel thereafter, making it a worthwhile investment.
Register early.
Give yourself as few chores to do at the airport as possible. Instead of waiting to pick up your boarding pass, register in advance, either online or on your phone.
You can stop using paper at most airports and use an electronic pass on your phone to board.
Download the app from your airline.
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and British Airways are just a few of the airlines that have developed mobile apps to provide travelers with real-time information about flight delays and door changes.
That way, if your door has changed and you’re short on time, you’ll know it before you even get to the airport.
Wear slippers.
If you’re going to have to take your shoes off safely, make them easy to take off.
The slippers are a good option, since they will keep you warm and cozy on your flight without taking too long to take it off safely.
Buy a TSA approved laptop bag.
Certain laptop bags are specially designed to be approved through TSA security, which means you won’t have to take out your laptop separately when it passes.
Simple cases like this from Case Logic ($ 27) are perfectly reasonable.
If you bring gifts, leave them unwrapped.
If you are exchanging gifts during the holidays, please send them in advance to avoid having to take them to the airport. Or if you are taking them with you, leave them unwrapped, as TSA officers may have to unwrap them.
“Wrapped gifts are allowed, but we recommend waiting until you land to wrap them,” he says on the official TSA blog. “If there is something in the gift that needs to be inspected, we may have to open it … It also slows down the line for everyone else when we have to do this.”
Pack the shoes from foot to foot at the bottom of your bag.
Packing your shoes at the bottom of your bag will help put some weight on the wheels of your luggage and make it easier to balance, especially if you’re rushing to your door.
Arrives early.
This seems like common sense, but be sure to allow yourself more time than usual on vacation trips. Brian Ek, a travel expert at Priceline.com, told Fox News that he encourages travelers to arrive at least two hours before their domestic flight and three hours for international flights that depart early in the morning or late at night.
For normal business hours, he recommends taking another 30 to 45 minutes, just to be safe.
Keep a bag of essentials ready to go.
Skip the time it would take to transfer your shampoo to a 3.4 ounce bottle and have a bag of toiletries ready to go.
Take samples of your favorite products, or get travel toiletries and store them in a bag so you can simply grab and take them every time you pack.
Have a booking application set up on your phone.
Canceled flights are an unfortunate reality when traveling on vacation. To make sure you get the best place to sleep if this happens, have a booking app set up on your phone so you can make last-minute hotel reservations or rent a car.
If your flight is canceled, take advantage of your time and start calling the airline on the phone while you wait in line.
Look for lines to your left.
According to CNN, searching for lines to your left side can help you detect the one that is shorter. Studies show that Americans are more likely to turn right than left when entering a building.
If your flight is delayed, relax in the airport lounge.
Even if you fly in economy, it does not mean that you cannot access the airport lounges. Most salons sell day passes so anyone can enjoy pampering and last minute relaxation.
You can also get a Priority Pass, which gives you access to over 1,000 airport VIP lounges around the world.
Finally, check your credit card to see if it gives you access to the room or not. Some, like American Express Platinum, have access to the Delta and Centurion lounges.
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American, United and Spirit are now booking full capacity flights when they can. All leading US airlines require passengers to wear masks. Lauren Ancel Meyers, an expert on disease outbreaks at the University of Texas, says that may help limit the risk.
For air travel and all other forms of transportation, the CDC recommends washing your hands, maintaining social distance, and wearing face covers.
Several airlines announced Monday that they will ask passengers about possible symptoms of COVID-19 and whether they have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus in the past two weeks.
Still, Meyers said you could still consider whether you need to be on that plane. “We should all have the ‘only if necessary’ mentality and always take the greatest possible precaution to protect ourselves and others,” he said.
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The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Send them to: [email protected].
Read the previous viral questions:
Who would be the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
Is it safe to form a COVID-19 “bubble of support” with friends?
