Is Air Travel Safe during COVID-19?

When will it be safe to travel again? We all have that question on our minds. We all want to travel, but this is not the right time to travel! It’s safer to stay home. However, if you got to do essential travel, like I had to fly from Mumbai to Raipur recently, there are certain new air travel safety tips to follow.

So, is air travel safe during COVID-19?

Well, it is as long as you take necessary precautions and follow Coronavirus travel advice. You got to understand that air travel isn’t the same anymore! There are quite a few new travel protocols that you need to follow to be able to stay safe and keep others safe, too.

It was my (and also my husband’s) first air travel in the COVID scenario. To be honest, I was extremely apprehensive about traveling, considering Mumbai’s situation. We hadn’t stepped out of our home for the last 4 months. Thereby, the idea of taking an Ola to reach the airport, coming in contact with so many people at the airport and on the flight was scary.   

I don’t think I had this air travel anxiety ever. Besides my usual discomfort of flying, I was worried about getting infected. Then we also had to deal with certain protocols after landing in Raipur. We had heard quite a lot of stories of people being sent to quarantine centres, etc. So, we were not even sure of reaching our home in Raipur.

I never thought I would try to avoid travel so much! My mindset right now is, “I don’t want to get infected at any cost.”

Also read: Post Lockdown Travel – How To Be Safe?

I’d still advice that non-essential travel should be avoided, at least for now. We can’t really predict anything. We just have to take each day as it comes. However, if you got to travel for some unavoidable or important purpose, please do so with a lot of precaution. Remember, travel isn’t the same anymore.

How to fly safely during Coronavirus?

My husband and I followed complete travel safety protocols to ensure our safety. Right from the moment we boarded the cab to the airport to landing in Raipur and finally our home, we were conscious.

We had hand sanitisers, masks and face shields for our protection. Besides, we practised social distancing from others, which is the most effective way of keeping yourself safe.

To my comfort, I found Mumbai airport and the airline well-equipped with safety rules and protocols for passengers. They made sure that air travel is contactless and safe.

Thankfully, there were fewer people. So, there was no long queues or jostling of any sort. I got through my security check with ease and pretty quickly, as there was nobody except for me in the women’s queue. It was such a delight!

The new air travel protocols in India:

• Web check-in and health declaration are mandatory before you reach the airport.
• You are supposed to reach the airport 2 hours (recommended 3 hours) before your flight time.
• You are supposed to have the Aarogya Setu app on your phone. Install it at least a couple of days before your travel date.
• Passengers are required to practise social distancing at every step – now it takes a bit of extra time at the entry gate, where you are supposed to stand at a safe distance from other passengers to get your ID checked by the airport staff. There are distancing markers on the floor and the dedicated staff to make sure that passengers are following social distancing.
• Now your ID is checked with a glass shield between you and the staff. And, you have to hold your ID in your hand to show it to the staff and not hand it over to be checked.
• You got to print your baggage tags and boarding passes on your own. You can do that at the airport from the Kiosks available.
• Each passenger is being thermal scanned at the entry as well as before boarding.
• All touch points are regularly disinfected.
• No onboard meals are served. All the restaurants, cafes and shops are shut.
• No stamping of boarding passes.
• Limited cabin and check-in luggage allowed.
• Most aircraft have advanced air circulation system – HEPA filters, which enable the cabin air flow vertically from ceiling to floor and get absorbed for purification.
• The cabin staff are in their protective gear – PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), gloves and sanitizers. Not to mention the aircraft is disinfected for you.
• Most airlines provide air travel safety kits – face shields, masks, and sanitizers to passengers.

The airport lounge at Mumbai International Airport

We enjoyed a fabulous airport lounge facility at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. I was so impressed by the social distancing and hygiene protocols practised by the lounge staff.

To begin with, your bags are disinfected before you get access into the lounge. Seats are marked safe for seating and blocked for distancing. Buffet is cancelled. You’re served right at your seat by a waiter who’s all masked and gloved. Your food is safely packed for you. Not to mention the surfaces are disinfected regularly.

It was such a pleasant experience to fly from Mumbai airport. Yes, all my anxiety melted away and I enjoyed my coffee in the wee hours of the morning.

Coronavirus travel safety tips for air passengers

Well yes, airlines and airports are doing their bit to ensure your safety. Now it’s your turn to do your bit to stay safe while traveling. It’s not going to help if you are not following the new air travel protocols sincerely.

Here’s what you got to do –

Pack smartly – have all protective gear in place.     

Make sure you carry your own masks, gloves, face shields, sanitizers and, if possible, PPEs. It’s advisable not to pack too much stuff, as you’re allowed to take only one check-in baggage and one cabin bag, which you can keep under your seat. So, pack accordingly.

Read all about the new air travel protocols. 

Be well-informed before you plan your travel. Read about the new travel protocols on the airline’s website. Call up your airline and ask them how you need to prepare yourself. Have a check-list ready.

Don’t be misinformed. Get information from the right sources.

Check state-wise travel advisory and quarantine rules.

Different states in India have different rules for arriving passengers. Therefore, you got to make sure that you are aware of your destination’s quarantine rules. Like in our case, we had to get our e-passes made to enter Chhattisgarh. Also, we followed a strict home quarantine of 14 days.

Practice social distancing at the airport and on board.

The best advice I have for you is to practice physical distancing. Stay away from crowded spaces. Stand at a safe distance while you’re waiting for your turn at the boarding counter or for your security check.

Wait, stay behind while you’re boarding your flight. Avoid the elbowing and jostling.

Pick your seats in advance.

I’d recommend you choose the last row or the front row seat on the aircraft, even if they are paid seats. It’s better to avoid the middle rows. Take the window seat if possible.

Also read: Coronavirus – A Passing Terror With Lifelong Lessons

Wear your masks at all times.

The beautiful idea that’s floating around is “wearing a mask is an act of love”. Yes, you must wear your mask to protect others. Wear your mask and wear it properly. Don’t let it hang below your nose, please!

Wear the face shield inside the flight.

The face shield is a real good thing! I felt really safe while wearing it, along with my mask underneath. Yes, I did feel as if I’m in a cave. But I guess it’s okay as long as you are protected.

‘Safety is better than comfort’ is my mantra these days.

Keep your hands clean.

It’s mandatory to keep sanitizers handy while traveling. Sanitize your hands after you have touched the baggage trolley, door knob, armrest, seat-belt buckles and all sorts of touch points at the airport. Wash your hands at least once in a while, as sanitizers are not as effective as soap and water.

Limit your movement.

After you are through with security check and waiting to board, it’s advisable not to move around much. Find yourself a comfy space to sit and relax.

Also read: How To Be Happy During A Pandemic?

Reschedule your travel if you are unwell.

Last but not the least, don’t travel if you are feeling unwell. You can reschedule your travel by calling up your airline. We had a very good experience with Indigo, who allowed us to change our travel dates without any charge.

On that note, I’d advise you to book your tickets directly with the airline rather than a third-party website. Changes and cancellations are easier when you make direct bookings.

Have you travelled by air in the COVID times? Did you feel safe?

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