My Experience Flying During COVID 19: What To Expect

Please note that I am not a licensed medical professional nor am I an expert on COVID-19. For the most accurate and up to date information, please visit CDC.gov.

Flying during COVID-19 is less than ideal but let’s be real, life happens. You never know why someone might be flying and most importantly, you shouldn’t judge them for it. We all have choices and at this point, everyone is aware of the risks and exposure they are facing when flying.

In my case, I flew to see my grandparents with my mom, dad, older sister and brother. My grandma is 94 and was having life threatening issues with excess fluid build up. My grandfather, 90 was recently diagnosed with dementia and needs full time care. We knew the risks we were taking by flying during COVID-19 but we also knew the regrets we might feel if we didn’t go to spend time with our loved one who won’t be here forever.

Fly or Drive ?

My destination was located in north eastern North Carolina. It is possible to drive from Texas, however, the drive is 22 hours with no stops or about 2 days traveling leisurely. After reading several articles, we decided that driving for 2 days cross country would put us at the same or higher risk than taking a plane for 4 hours.

Airline

I flew Southwest Airlines. Southwest flights were not only cheaper, but they also offered an enticing promise. They guarantee that the middle seat is open on every flight so that proper “social distancing” can take place. I put social distancing in parenthesis because the only correct method to create 6 feet of space would be to have 2 people per row and every other row empty. According to CNN Business, only Delta (DAL), Southwest (LUV) and JetBlue (JBLU)  have made pledges to keep middle seats empty. Without a mandate, only time will tell how long these pledges will stay in place.

Security

Other than signs requesting “6 feet of distance”, there are no real changes at security. While waiting in line, people did not respect the 6 feet of distance either. I tried to keep my distance but it was difficult when people behind me would just move closer. Shockingly, there were no markers on the ground in security lines like there are at local grocery stores.

TSA officers are wearing a mask and gloves and they do ask that you pull down your mask when they are checking IDs.

The worst part of the flying experience for me were the security check point bins. Prior to COVID-19, I have always been grossed out by the grimy gray or off white containers. I am 95% sure that they are not cleaned or sanitized after each use. I know every airport is different but from what I saw at Hobby and RDU, they are not cleaned after each use and don’t look clean when you go to pick up one either. The other germ breeding ground would be the conveyor belt. This section is unavoidable but I do highly recommend using a disinfectant spray, like travel sized Lysol, on each of your items once they get through security to play it safe.

The Terminal

Aside from a few social distancing signs and hand sanitizer plus Plexiglass at the ticket counters, the terminals are functioning as normal. You can expect less options for grub depending on state wide mandates. Most upscale casual eateries, bars, and magazine/general stores were closed while I was flying. This made it difficult to get last minute travel necessities like water, gum, or a travel pillow so pack accordingly.

Boarding

Surprisingly, boarding is conducted in groups of 10 so that there are less people standing in the aisle of the plane and inhibiting your personal space. Although social distancing should be in affect during boarding, human nature seems to squish people together. I suggest avoiding the line up until your exact group is called. For instance, I was boarding position A24. I didn’t start walking up to the gate until she called out A20.

Cleaning

Southwest website claims that , ” a broad-spectrum disinfectant, will be used to clean commonly used areas before every flight.” I am skeptical of how thorough this cleaning is, especially between flights that have tight turn around times. I wiped down my seat area with a Lysol wipe once I got on the plane. If you don’t have any packed, you can ask the flight attendant and they will get you one.

In-Flight Experience

Masks are required during the flight at all times except when eating and drinking. There were previous rumors that no snacks or water would be served during the flight but this isn’t 100% accurate. I was served a can of Dasani water with a straw (ice on request) plus a snack on each leg of the flight. It’s important to note that snacks and water are only handed out on flights over 250 miles. No alcohol, drinks other than water, or food other than the snack mix were served.

I tried to keep my mask on as much as possible and limit food and drink intake. Unfortunately, I did fall asleep while my mask was still off after eating but no one reprimanded me for not having it on. The flight attendants are very lax about whether or not your mask stays on throughout the flight.

Deplaning

There are no social distancing measures in place or enforced. It is truly a free for all, everyone is rushing to get off the plane like never before. Not sure if people are eager to snatch their mask off or really have that much disregard for personal space. If you are trying to make sure you can social distance while de-planing, I suggest waiting seated until everyone clears off.

Final Thoughts on Flying During COVID-19

Overall, I felt safe and enjoyed being able to fly on an airplane not crammed to the maximum capacity. Having a mask on during the whole flight is a pain but definitely worth it to keep yourself and others safe. I tried out several masks before my flight to see which one I could breathe most comfortably in. I suggest bringing your own snacks if you are a picky eater since most restaurants are closed and options are far and few. Once again, in my opinion the security line poses the maximum threat for exposure to COVID-19. Try to fly with at least one other person so you can have a whole row of seats to yourself. Most importantly, wash your hands frequently and apply hand sanitizer when soap and water are not accessible. I also made sure to keep my nasal passages and eyes well lubricated with eye drops and nasal saline spray. Flying during COVID-19 is not for the faint of heart but hopefully with these tips you feel a little more prepared to take off.