Useful Tips for Air Travel During a Global Pandemic

I just returned from my first travel adventure during this worldwide pandemic. I spent a long time trying to make sure I was making the right decision before travelling. Obviously, travelling is a HUGE privilege and not something anyone should take lightly during Covid. I am fully vaccinated, so I felt more confidant getting on an airplane and being in crowded places. I also felt that airlines and other hospitality services would have had more time to get organized by now. They now have their health and safety measures and requirements all ironed out. With a bit of nervous trepidation, I boarded a plane and set out to see new and beautiful places once more! I wanted to share with you all my Covid-19 Travel Tips, so if you choose, you’ll be ready for a safe and comfortable vacation. 

Pre-Travel Research

Before you book travel to any destinations, you need to consider various country’s requirements for incoming travellers. This step is the most important one to ensure you’re prepared with the correct documentation before arriving at the airport.

Vaccination Requirements

Many countries are beginning to change their requirements for foreign entry, and they may start to require a vaccine passport. Currently, Canada is requiring US travellers to be vaccinated to book travel within Canada. It’s always best to check in advance if this is a requirement for the country you’re visiting. And if you aren’t already vaccinated, get your shot! Otherwise, you may need to consider alternative plans.

This fantastic interactive map gives you a snapshot of information on different countries’ Covid-19 Travel requirements. It’s updated regularly, but I would also check the country’s official website for the most up-to-date information.

Covid Restrictions

Another thing to consider when booking your travel destination is Covid-19 restrictions. Covid-19 restrictions may vary from mandatory masks in public spaces to some tourist destinations being closed due to covid. 

Now, don’t let these restrictions keep you from travelling. Of course, if the one bucket list thing you want to see isn’t open, then for sure, maybe put that trip on the backburner. But if you’re like me and just miss being somewhere new, just plan on a different kind of trip. Think more walking tours, fewer indoor museums. More patios and picnics and fewer indoor restaurants. When I was in Sweden over the Christmas holidays in 2019, so many things were closed for Christmas. And yet that didn’t stop me from adapting and having the best vacation possible!

Route Planning

I wasn’t a fan of layovers before, and I’m even less of one now. Layovers mean more time wearing your mask, touching more surfaces and generally just being more exposed. So think carefully about how much you’re really saving by booking a layover vs. a direct flight.

Covid Testing

Most foreign travellers will be required to present a negative covid test to get onto an international flight. This does not apply for domestic travel. (At least at the time of writing this post – Aug 2021.) For this reason, many people have decided to travel domestically to avoid those fees for the test. Most countries require the negative tests to have been taken up to 72 hours in advance of the flight.

And when re-entering your home country, you will also need to present a negative covid test to return home. Sometimes taking the test will allow you to skip the mandatory 14-day quarantine, but other times it is required regardless. Even if you have been vaccinated as you can still spread the disease. Because of this, countries are requiring mandatory testing for everyone. In country’s like Italy, you not only have to present your negative Covid test before getting on the plane but they also test you upon coming into the country.

Test Pricing

The price of these tests is pretty expensive! In Canada, a single PCR test costs $159. Testing sites are generally found all over the city you just need to do some research. But some cities also perform them inside the airport and can be ready in as little as 10-minutes. Prices in the USA, prices range from $119 to $299, depending on the turnaround time. In the UK, testing starts at £129. Depending on how many people there are at your travel party, this cost can REALLY add up! Since you need both a test coming into the country and going home. So travelling domestically might be a great idea to avoid those costs.

Travel Insurance

Whether or not you have been vaccinated, there is always a chance of contracting Covid-19. Even if you took all your precautions. While the chances are very low if you follow all the health and safety regulations, ensuring you have travel insurance is one way to have peace of mind. So if you do get sick, you won’t be left with astronomically high medical bills. Many workplaces offer travel insurance as a part of their medical insurance. So it’s always worth a call to check. Depending on where you’re located, the options for insurance will vary greatly. Be sure to do your research and find the best option that fits your budget. And always be sure to check if Covid-19 related costs are covered.

Airport Packing Checklist

Packing for the airport takes on an entirely new meaning during Covid-19. Ensuring you have everything you need to make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible is so important. So just add all these additional items on top of your normal packing checklist.

Masks

Masks are mandatory both in the airport and on the airplane. While you can take them off briefly for eating and drinking, you’re going to wearing these masks for a long time. And unless you’re used to wearing a mask for 8+ hours, you really need to prepare for this situation. Think about how long your flight is and add on the two-three hours before and one hour after the flight. I would even go so far as to recommend testing out your intended mask at home for that amount of time to make sure you know it will be comfortable. If it’s not, consider the options below.

KN95 Mask

There are so many different types of masks, but for flying, I would highly recommend wearing a medical mask. The KN95 mask is FDA-registered and filters up to 95 percent of airborne particles. Plus, the beak-shape of the mask keeps the front from pressing against your mouth all the time and feels way more comfortable. 

Ear Savers

Even if you don’t find masks uncomfortable in day-to-day life, there is no way around the fact that your ears might get sore after wearing the mask for a long time on the plane. That’s where “ear savers” come in. These extendable straps help hold the mask straps on the back of your head and the straps won’t dig into the backs of your ears. Especially if you are on a long-haul flight, these are a MUST-HAVE! You can also make your own DIY version if that is your thingl. No matters the ones you get, you’ll be glad to have them after a few hours of wear. I thought I would be fine as I wear my mask all the time and don’t find it uncomfortable at all. But after 8+ hours I had already added those ear savers to my cart.

Cloth Masks

I love cloth masks not only because they are reusable but because, well, I LOVE an accessory. Cloth masks come in as many colours, varieties and designs as you can imagine. It’s incredible how you can even tell a bit about someone’s personality just by the masks they wear. So even when we can’t read each other’s expressions, we still get a taste of someone’s character by their unique mask. Cloth masks are definitely not as good at filtering particles out. While they aren’t my first choice on the airplane, they are great for indoor activities and walking around once you get to your destination. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a mask to match all your outfits. Just another way of making these safety measures more fun.

Additional Packing Checklist

• Hand Sanitizer: It goes without saying that a travel-size container of hand sanitizer is pretty essential. Great for when you can’t get to a bathroom to wash your hands. And remember to get one with an alcohol concentration between 60–95%. The higher the %, the more effective at killing germs.
• Hand Cream: Hand in hand with sanitizer is some high-quality hand cream. With all that hand washing, sanitizer and dry air on the plane, your hands will be aching for some moisture. I would recommend cream with vitamin e to really help dry skin.
• Lysol wipes: Although some planes offer you a Lysol wipe when you get onto the plane to wipe down your seat, other airlines don’t. And I have been wiping down my seat with Lysol wipes even before the pandemic. Plus, they’re great to have to do a quick clean of other surfaces in the airport.
• Pillows and blankets: Airlines aren’t giving out free pillows and blankets anymore. These are what you would expect to get on a long flight. But no more. So if you really loved using these, you’ll need to bring your own. Blankets are also a great thing to have on hand as they can be used for picnic blankets when eating outside to avoid crowded indoor dining.

Medication

If the worst happens and you get sick on vacation, it’s always good to travel with medication. Acetaminophen is excellent for fever and body aches. Fever often comes with dehydration, so I carry a few packs of powdered Hydralyte or Pedialyte with me. A sore throat might be easily soothed with a cup of peppermint tea and honey. I keep peppermint tea bags with me when travelling for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Antihistamines are great to reduce stuffiness and congestion, often something you can suffer from after a flight due to the dry air. But remember, if you think you have Covid-19, you should always go to a hospital and get tested right away.

Covid-19 Airport Tips

Expect Delays

Travel during Covid-19 has some additional delays. Cleaning takes extra time, so if the flights were late arriving, they would be even later departing. So be prepared for that and try to keep a cool head. I feel like everyone is a bit more on edge right now, so being calm and having a relaxed attitude will go a long way. Not just with yourself but with the staff members who have to deal with so many different things on board. By booking a direct flight you’ll also save yourself the stress of flight delays affecting your connections.

Avoid Touch Surfaces as Much as Possible

Although the transmission of the virus is more prevalent in the air than on surfaces, it’s still a good rule of thumb to avoid as many touch surfaces as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by bringing your own food to avoid sitting inside a restaurant. Even those food kiosks are high-touch areas and if they can be avoided that’s one way to keep safe. Bring a large empty water bottle with you so you can simply refill your water without buying bottles from the shops.

If you can find an empty area inside the airport to eat or drink, that’s your best choice. These less high traffic areas will be cleaner and you will be able to get a little more distance from people than at the gate.

Wash your Hands

Remember, after touching anything, it’s a good idea to wash your hands. “But I have my sanitizer,” you might be thinking. Well, according to the CDC and medical professionals, hand washing is still the gold standard. And while “hand sanitizer may kill viruses and certain bacteria, but it does not ‘clean’ your hands like soap and water do.”

Mental Preparation

One of the biggest things I found caught me off guard when I took my first flight during the pandemic was the noise of people talking. It had been so long since I had been in a confined space like this, and I was so surprised how the rabble of voices totally threw me off. You also might find that your anxiety is peaked when travelling, as even pre-covid, travel can be a stressful experience. A great way to combat this is with a comforting podcast, a soothing piece of music or even just a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I know some people love the Calm app and use that to help with their pandemic anxiety as well. Remember, everyone feels a bit anxious these days, so don’t worry, it’s not just you.

Obviously, travelling during this period in history is an ever-changing situation and can be a stressful activity. And for some people, they would instead prefer to just take a road trip or enjoy time at home. And that’s absolutely fine! If you’re looking for some great virtual travel articles, I have some amazing ones that will allow you to transport yourself without leaving your sofa. But for those who choose to travel, be safe and follow these tips. Hopefully, if you do, you’ll be able to get back out there and see the world once more.

Happy (& safe) Travels, Adventurers!