COVID-19 safety on airplanes
Traveling during a global pandemic is a little different and can be tricky. Having to worry about COVID tests, the number of cases in the destination you’re visiting, how others have handled COVID (from the government down to individual-level choices), etc. One thing that has been a huge point of anxiety for travelers during COVID is flying. Airports are hotbeds for germs anyway but add in a disease like COVID, and it is a recipe for added nerves while traveling! Here are some things to keep in mind and some ways to keep yourself safe:
Ro and I wearing a mask coming back from Berlin in February 2020 - the week before borders shut.
How likely are you to get sick on a plane?
The odds of getting sick on a plane are very low. But they aren’t zero. We’ll talk about the air filtration system on planes next, but you are still sharing an indoor space with dozens of people for an extended period of time. If you’re sitting next to a sick person, fresh air and filtration systems won’t help much, so keep in mind that planes will never be 100% safe, much like most indoor spaces.
While planes can be gross, they aren’t hosts for superspreaders. It’s comforting that 2/3 of epidemiologists surveyed by the New York Times said they’d be comfortable getting on a plane during the pandemic.
Is the air recycled on planes?
While it may seem understandable that there is no fresh air on flights, this myth isn’t true. Fresh air from the outside of the plane continuously circulates through the cabin through complex vents in the engines during flight.
Planes also have hospital-grade air filters to purify the air onboard. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters cycle the air every few minutes and capture 99.97% of airborne particles.
Mask-wearing on flights
No one likes masks. However, most airlines are requiring masks to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 even further. While most airlines have required them to board, they have been lax while in-flight. Thankfully, that is changing with United, Delta, and American Airlines threatening to ban travelers who refuse to wear a mask from any future flights.
A 2008 study found that wearing masks on an airplane “reduced the incidence of infection another 10-fold.” So please wear a mask until we get through this :)
Wear your mask please :)
The airport and flight experience
Most airports have limited services available with most shops and restaurants at limited capacity or closed.
Some airlines have thought about boarding differently, having those in the back of the plane board first as opposed to zones. Some are asking passengers to stand up five rows at a time and remain seated until their row is called when deplaning - which I love the idea of!
Best ways to stay safe and healthy while traveling
Now that we know planes are not 100% safe, precautions are necessary. Wearing a mask for one is the safest way to travel. They’re annoying, and no one likes them, but they are the best way to keep yourself and your neighbors safe.
I also preach from the mountaintops about sanitizing your immediate area and touchpoints on planes. Always pack sanitizing wipes and wipe down your armrests, seatbelt, tv screen, airflow, etc. Read my post on where to sanitize when you travel for a comprehensive list of the nastiest places on planes. You should do this even when a global pandemic is not happening.
If you don’t have Global Entry or TSA Precheck, go ahead and get it before your next trip. This will help you avoid waiting in lines in some of the more populated areas at the airport. Global Entry is $100 for 5 years and includes TSA Precheck. This allows you to bypass the wait and lines to get back into the country via customs when you arrive back after an international trip. TSA Precheck is $85 for 3 years and allows you to breeze through security by not having to take your shoes off, take your liquids out of your bag, and your laptop out. Highly recommend these features.
The line at customs at Charlotte International Airport returning from Mexico. Get global entry!
Overall, the flying part of traveling seems to be one of the safest parts. Please keep those native to your destination in mind while traveling, along with your loved ones at home when making decisions on your trips. I am all for traveling, but as I’ve said in many, many posts, please do so responsibly.