What it's like Flying during Coronavirus Right Now • Go Near Far

So what is it like flying during Coronavirus, you ask? Well, let me start by telling you about my first experience flying back in May on Southwest.

I anxiously sat in my seat as I watched the flow of passengers entering the airplane after me, only some of whom were wearing facemarks. My heart pounded as I wondered whether I had made a huge mistake flying during coronavirus, praying no one would sit next to me. I lucked out, no one did.

In fact, it felt a bit like the twilight zone. I ended up having a full row to myself in an ominously quiet cabin for what felt like a much longer flight than the actual 2-hours. Until…mid-flight, the women two rows in front of me started having a panic attack. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one a bit paranoid on board. The stewardess brought her oxygen and called for a doctor. She was fine, but that definitely didn’t help the pounding still going on in my own chest.

And honestly, my nerves didn’t fully subside until several days after my flight as I anxiously waited to see whether I would develop any COVID symptoms. I did not, and have now been on 5 additional flights. And needless to say, a lot has changed on planes since May.

This article is not meant to provide sanctioned safety and travel advice. Instead, it is to recount my experiences of flying during Coronavirus and how I have taken necessary precautions to protect myself and those around me.

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Table of Contents

Pre-Travel Jitters – Can you Relate?

Before the pandemic started, I had booked a flight to Colorado to visit my parents over Easter. But when the stay-at-home order was put in place, it became noticeably clear that I would not be traveling in April. I steered myself away from thinking of getting on a plane for several weeks.

However, I had ongoing mixed feelings. Should I stay in Los Angeles and continue following state orders, or go to Colorado where the cases were substantially lower? All the overwhelming pandemic updates, mixed with working remotely from my tiny LA apartment began getting the best of me. I developed needless anxiety (which I’ve never experienced before in my life).

empty terminal while flying during coronavirus

I’m sure I’m not alone in these feelings; I mean, I couldn’t even schedule a virtual therapist appointment through my insurance until July! We continue to hear every news outlet give clear instructions to ‘STAY AT HOME! Don’t take the risk of infecting others”. Yet, by staying home we’re possibly damaging our mental well-being by not getting enough fresh air or human interaction. (Sorry, but Zoom just doesn’t cut it!).

Having not seen my parents in months I decided to book a tentative Southwest flight in May. Although, I didn’t even tell them I was coming until a few days prior as I was worried that I’d chicken out and cancel at the last minute.

I decided to get a COVID-19 test while still in LA, as I figured that would help curtail some of my jitters about possibly already carrying the virus. My test was negative, so I decided to go through with the trip.

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What it’s like to be in an Airport during COVID

And now the part you are most interested in…what it is really like flying during Coronavirus:

Car Drop-Off Areas

Upon driving into the Burbank Bob Hope Airport for my first pandemic flight, during what would normally be a bustling Saturday morning travel rush, I was confronted with only two other cars of passengers. Pretty sure I let out a huge sigh of relief.

On my second and third flights, I had to fly out of the dreaded LAX airport. Just thinking of the miles of typical bumper to bumper, backed up traffic gives me a headache! However, this time was very different. It only took 7 minutes to get from the 405 freeway exit to the United terminal, the last terminal on the airport loop (yup, I timed it!). That must be some kind of record!

Curbside service was not an option; and from what I’ve read online, many airlines have discontinued this concierge temporarily.

Check-In Process

empty check-in while flying during coronavirus

I have yet to see a line in any check-in area…it actually feels more like a ghost town. It’s such a weird phenomena, because I’m so accustomed to seeing those service counter lines wrap back and forth endlessly, as I’m sure you are. Definitely not complaining here!

Every other self-service kiosk was closed to help maintain social distancing. I’ve read that some airlines are actually closing all of these kiosks temporarily for passengers’ safety.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve felt an extra amount of cordiality from the ticketing attendants during this time period. Perhaps I hit them on a good day, or maybe they’re happy to still have jobs during all this hysteria. They have added plexiglass stands to the counters to maximize distancing.

TIP: Some airlines will let you print your luggage tags ahead of time to facilitate an easy, touch-free process.

And if you didn’t guess, there were signs to “stay 6 feet apart” and touchless hand sanitizer stations all over the terminal.

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TSA Security

I was very interested to see what new safety precautions TSA would implement, but it was pretty status quo (minus no long lines). Only once out of my six flights did I have to wait in a short TSA line.

The ID check personnel will ask you to lower your mask briefly to confirm identity from behind a plexiglass stand. I was happy to see a TSA personnel wiping down all bins before sending them back over for the next traveler.

Two of the times, the TSA PreCheck line wasn’t open, which is frustrating when they make you take off your shoes and take out your laptop (I know, first world problems!)

Clear – TSA Service

I used to have Clear, but my membership expired right before the Coronavirus outbreak. And while the Clear stations all still appear to be operating, I’m glad I didn’t renew just yet (and that was just by accident). I highly recommend Clear to expedite check-in time, but it’s definitely not necessarily for traveling right now.

closed TSA while flying during coronavirus

Main Terminals

There are no federal rules saying you must wear a face covering in airports, but I was pleased to see how many more people are wearing them now compared to my first flight back in May.

Many of the restaurants, food stands, and shops have been closed at every airport I’ve passed through; however, there are enough options to grab a drink and snack to carry on my flight.

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Lounges

I was going to stop by the United lounge to relax and grab a snack before one of my flights, but found out it wasn’t open. Double check online before you drag your bag across the terminal, as many of the airline lounges are temporarily closed. If open, they are operating under limited conditions with packaged snacks and single-serve beverages.

While there are no guidelines for seating around the terminals, no one wants to catch the virus so my observation is that most people respectfully avoid sitting near others if they have an option.

Boarding

Each airline has its own social distancing boarding strategy, but I like United’s, which calls rows beginning in the back of the plane first. That helps minimize contact between passengers as much as possible.

Safety Changes on Planes

Everyone’s burning question right now is, is it safe to be on a plane flying during Coronavirus? Here are some of the changes I’ve noticed airlines implementing:

packed flight while flying during coronavirus

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Back on my first flight, passengers were not required to wear masks. Today, many airlines are setting their own rules to require passengers and crew members to wear masks for the entire duration of the flight. The only exception is while you are eating or if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Unfortunately though, this is not a federal law, so it’s up to the flight attendants to enforce these rules.
Pretty much every airline has added a HEPA air filtration system throughout the cabin, which circulates constantly and is said to catch 99.9% of particles flying through the air.
The filters can only protect you from airborne viruses, which is why airlines have also added a HEPA disinfectant wipe down process in common areas like the galleys and lavatories between flights.
All planes are said to receive a comprehensive cleaning each night as well.
For a few months during COVID, airlines were only selling enough tickets so that the middle seat in each row would be empty. Unfortunately, that has changed. Many airlines are now selling a full flight.
However, if there is room and you feel uncomfortable, some airlines are being more accommodating with seat change requests once all passengers are seated on the plane.
Airlines are also limiting refreshments services on board, if any. For flights under 2 hours, Southwest didn’t serve snacks. (I knew this ahead of time so I packed a snack). On United, they handed out a little goodie bag with water, biscoff cookies and pretzels.

How Full will Your Flight Be?

I was shocked to see that my flight the other day from Chicago to Denver was on a Boeing 777, those large planes you fly to Europe with a 3-4-3 row arrangement, and almost every seat was filled. I was lucky enough to have no one sitting in the middle seat next to me, but that wasn’t the case for most. My guess is that because of airline cutbacks, they are now using larger fleets to carry more passengers fewer times per day.

It’s really hard to say how full or empty your flight will be though. It’s definitely a hit or miss while flying during coronavirus right now. On a couple of my flights, I’ve had a whole row to myself!

empty seating row while flying during coronavirus

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What to Wear and Pack in your Carry-on

In the days prior to flying, I geared up with a 100-pack of nitrile gloves, 4 KN95 masks, a mini bottle of disinfectant spray, and a bottle of hand sanitizer. No, no, those weren’t all just for that flight (I’m not that OCD!) but I wanted to be over-prepared so that I didn’t have to worry about buying more supplies during my trip or for the return flight.

TIP: TSA is making an exception to allow 12-oz bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your carry-on.

Plane Clothes

As for my plane apparel, I wanted to be fully covered from head to toe so that not even an inch of my skin could touch the seats. I wore long leggings, sneakers with high socks, a t-shirt underneath a rain jacket with a hood to cover my hair, and of course my gloves and face mask.

I also packed an extra set of clothes and a laundry bag in my extra light weight carry-on, so that I could swap out of my flying clothes before getting in a car with my parents.

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