Expensive Flights, Airplane Masks, and Selfies: The Reality of International Travel During the Covid-19 Pandemic

OPINION: Airports are eerily empty, masks are on, and travelers are armed with negative Covid-19 test results. This is really what international travel is like during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The industry suffered one of the biggest economic shocks during the pandemic and, as the virus continues to rage, it is barely staying afloat.

But the airports are still open and flights are taking off. International travel isn’t completely out of the question, it’s just a little different.

Unsurprisingly, the number of passengers leaving New Zealand has dropped dramatically. In February, 13,408 boarded outbound flights. That’s about 97 percent as of February 2019.

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I was one of the few travelers to depart New Zealand in February, I took advantage of Australia’s one-way travel bubble arrangement, before it was discontinued, and reunited with my family (including new nephews and nephews) after more than a year apart.

After hearing all the horror stories of returning Kiwis struggling to get flights and places in controlled isolation, as well as stories of Australians struggling to leave their home country, he was prepared for the worst. But to my surprise, the whole experience was relatively easy. However, I think I may be one of the lucky ones.

For those of you sitting at home watching your passports gather dust, you should know that you are not missing much. This is the reality of traveling internationally during a pandemic.

Book early and fast

As many returnees already know, securing a place in controlled isolation is one of the biggest obstacles. However, whether by luck or just the perfect timing, I was able to find a place that worked with my travel plans relatively quickly and easily.

Once you were sure, reservations are held for 48 hours until you book your flight, I worked the other way around. I booked the matching flight which landed the same day, then booked my flights from Wellington to Brisbane (via Auckland) as fast as I could.

Before Covid-19, it was not uncommon for me to book a last minute flight from Wellington to Brisbane for a weekend with my family. Unsurprisingly, this approach just wasn’t possible this time, and I booked over a month in advance.

The flights weren’t cheap, but since several airlines have yet to resume service in New Zealand, I didn’t have the luxury of shopping.

There were a few other hurdles I had to overcome before leaving: I needed to apply for the extension of travel conditions for my resident visa (I’m Australian, if you haven’t guessed yet), book a pre-departure test. (not a requirement at the time, but I chose to get one to put my mind at ease) and complete my Australian health statement. I also had to book domestic flights in New Zealand and Australia, and apply for a border waiver to travel from Queensland to Victoria to catch my flight back to Auckland.

The whole process, while stressful (and expensive), was actually quite seamless.

Ghost town airport

If you enjoy the vibrancy of an airport before a flight, you will be very disappointed when entering Auckland International Airport.

The lanes that usually guide anxious travelers to the front of the check-in queue are empty, it’s like a ghost town.

Those who check in cannot use the self-service kiosks, instead, passports and all necessary documents (health statements, negative PCR tests, and passports) must be checked by an attendant. This process is then repeated by dropping the bag.

Electronic signs flash safe Covid messages every ten steps: “wear a mask,” “washing and drying your hands kills the virus,” “travel safe, leave space,” and hand sanitizer stations are scattered throughout the terminal. .

The upstairs departure lounge was a gloomy experience. I watched as families hugged each other goodbye, tears in their eyes, perhaps fearful of possible border closures that could hinder a reunion.

The line to go through customs was physically distanced and short. With only four customs officials calling the passengers, it moved relatively quickly.

Security proceeded in the same way, this experience has not changed, security is paramount, phones should not be used in the area, and sniffer dogs are vigilant. The only visible change is the prevalence of face masks and the conscious effort of travelers to physically distance themselves from others.

Masks are not mandatory at the airport, they are on flights and upon arrival in Australia, but like many of the surrounding passengers, I chose to wear them from the moment I stepped foot inside the international terminal.

As you walk through the airport, you can’t help but think of all the struggling businesses in the terminal that have been forced to close their doors. Only a handful of shops are still running, duty-free and a cafe, most are bricked up. Not surprisingly, the airport this year recorded its first loss since 1988.

Arriving at the door of a crowded waiting room was a shock as the physical distancing was almost non-existent. Empty chairs were few and far between, and some people chose to sit on the floor rather than squeeze into a row. The whole area was crowded, but more spacious than the full flight we were preparing to board.

When it was time to board, those who did not yet have their masks removed them from their bags or helped themselves to the available courtesy masks. Passengers boarding Air New Zealand flights are asked to wear masks in line to board the plane, they must remove them to match their passport photo, but then they must put them back on. Everyone I saw met this requirement.

Buckle up and put on your mask

Once on the plane, everything felt normal. The only reminder of the pandemic were the masks. Friendly smiles among travelers have turned into friendly browlifts, a habit that may remain after Covid.

The Australian government’s regular message reminding passengers to declare all items reproduced, and an additional message came through the speakers telling anyone feeling ill with Covid-19 symptoms to speak to a member of the the crew or a government official upon arrival.

For the 3.5 hour flight, almost everything was the same, except that I was sanitizing my hands more regularly, before removing and putting on the mask, and before and after eating. Disembarking from the plane was a long process, everyone had to remain seated while the Australian border team cleared our plane.

The Brisbane Airport team has perfected the arrival system: as soon as you disembark, a masked worker will hand you a brochure detailing what Australia’s requirements are for travelers, what happens when you arrive and what to expect while on land. of Vegemite and kangaroos.

The cones are configured to allow people to easily physically move away while they wait for a health check. However, I did notice that some people chose to ignore these markers, resulting in me telling the woman behind me, who came less than an arm’s length closer, to keep her distance.

The health assessment consisted of a temperature check followed by a review of the completed Australian health declaration up to 72 hours before departure.

Travelers on green flights go through duty free (a pandemic apparently won’t get in the way of cheap cosmetics and alcohol) and are taken to a separate part of the terminal, away from travelers on red flights, to pass through SmartGates from customs before collecting luggage.

On the baggage carousel, there were markers on the ground to encourage physical distancing, but no one was enforcing it. Whether it’s from post-flight fatigue or anxiety about leaving the airport, some people seemed to have forgotten the need to keep their distance. I watched as people passed other travelers, rubbing their shoulders, to pass their hands and collect their bags.

The final step is to present the arrival cards to customs officials, this is another aspect that has remained unchanged. Stepping out of the arrivals hall at Brisbane International Airport was like walking into another world (incredibly hot and humid) – there were people with welcome signs and emotions flared as travelers met up with friends and family.

Same but different

For those at home with itchy feet, eager to travel, you should know that you are not missing much.

People are still trying to stuff oversized bags in the top lockers, the awkward shuffling to get to the window seat remains, and the selfies and snaps of the plane’s wing are still alive (I’m proof of that).

The experience is very similar, only with some additional inconveniences in some places: wearing masks, preparing all the necessary documents and arriving at the airport earlier than normal to complete the check-in.

Packing for an international flight in the Covid-19 era is a bit different, too. My luggage on board was equipped with hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and numerous face masks, things that have become staples during the pandemic.

Aside from being hit by the Brisbane heat immediately after leaving the airport, the whole experience was bearable.

As vaccination programs continue to advance around the world and heads of state begin to reconsider international border restrictions, it will be interesting to see if the flying experience changes further. Qantas is already talking about a no vaxx, no fly requirement for its long-haul flights, and Air New Zealand is preparing to test a digital vaccine passport in April, so the change is already in the works.