Recently Sanctifly content creator, Sara Quiriconi flew from Miami to Los Angeles and we asked her to describe her experience so we could get a sense of what it’s like to fly in these strange times.
1. What airports were you traveling between?
I flew between Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX) at the beginning of December 2020.
“TOP TIP - Pack your own snacks and water bottle. Food is limited but water refilling stations are still available”
2. What about the airport was different?
It was so quiet! Eerily quiet. I am so used to travel and dealing with crowded terminals and long lines, this was a weird experience. But it also depends on the time you're flying; I had a friend wait in the same Priority check-in line the day after I flew and was waiting 30 min to check a bag. So, hit or miss, but overall noticeably quiet. Not all shops and restaurants were open; again, depends on the time you fly, but I'd say only approx. 50% of shops and restaurants were open during daytime flight times. I was definitely glad I ate before I left for the airport, do not expect to get a good meal at the airport or on the plane!
3. What about the plane was different? Were there any particular restrictions imposed?
I was on a 777 and it was close to empty flying LAX to MIA; service is limited to drinks, no food on the shorter domestic flights. They give you a baggie with a water bottle, wipe and cookie, that’s it! I always bring some healthy snacks with me on the plane and I was glad of it! Every airport and airline will be different, I flew AA (American Airlines) and masks were mandatory.
4. What advice do you have for anyone flying in the coming months?
There are lots of new things to think about when planning a trip nowadays. Here are some things to consider/pack:
Pack your own snacks & water bottle (most airlines only give 6 oz. on shorter flights, if any)
Plan extra time, more than usual — airport traffic and security is a hit or miss these days, better to have extra time than be late. On that note it is also important to check with the airport to see if there are any restrictions on how early you can arrive at the airport. In order to reduce crowds some airports may be restricting the time that you can arrive, and it is important to factor this into your travel plan.
Bring your own pen. no one will let you borrow one these days if you need it for customs forms, work, etc.
Check out Sara’s experience here.
Without a doubt the flying experience has changed dramatically thanks to the impact of Covid-19 and we need to change along with it. With a little preparation and planning, your next trip can run as smoothly as pre Covid. Here is what you need to consider and what you need to change in your pre travel routine to fly safely in 2021 and beyond.
1. Pack the new essentials
At this point we should all be used to making sure we have a mask or other form of face covering when we leave the house. Masks are incredibly important in reducing the impact of Covid-19 and are now mandatory in many airports and on many airlines. Make sure you pack a face covering for the flight, plus enough to get you through your trip. Remember all reusable face coverings should be washed daily so make sure you either pack enough spares or have a plan for washing your masks throughout your trip.
Hand sanitizer is another item on the new essential list. Although hand sanitizer stations will be available in the airport, having your own can offer comfort. The TSA allows travelers to bring hand sanitizer containers up to 12 oz (354ml) in their carry on. Please not that the usual restriction of 100ml apply to all other liquids.
If you forget your mask or your hand sanitizer there will be options to purchase TSA compliant PPE equipment at the airport. However, it is always better to be prepared so make sure to add them to your packing list.
2. Make sure your phone is charged
Another precaution we are seeing in many airports around the world is the move to contactless processes throughout the airport journey. Whether you are checking in, checking a bag, ordering food or even in some cases, using the elevator, you will need your mobile phone. Your phone will become the ultimate travel companion and the last thing you want it to me running out of charge when trying to show your boarding pass! Make sure you charge your phone fully before leaving the house. You can also pack a portable battery bank (make sure that is charged too) so that you will always have the option to top up your phone.
Another good tip is to take a screen shot or have your boarding pass downloaded onto your phone before you get to the airport. The last thing you want is to be unable to access your travel documents because you lose service.
On the plus side, if you have your phone at the ready to move through the airport, you can also have the Sanctifly app on hand to help you to Travel Well. On the app we have lots of traveler focused fitness videos, airport stretch routines and guided meditations to help you make the most of your travel downtime.
3. Check your destination country’s travel restrictions and regulations for when you go and your own country’s rules for returning
Planning for quarantine is not something any of us expected to have to add to our travel routines, however Covid-19 has made it a reality. Make sure to check the relevant travel restrictions and other health and safety regulations of your destination country. Here is a great interactive map where you can find a list of the travel and health regulations for countries all over the world. Make sure to check just before your trip as changes are being made all the time.
Plan for quarantine when necessary. Do you have to self-isolate when you arrive? Do you have somewhere you can do that and access to the relevant supplies you need? Or will you need to quarantine when you return home? Make sure to stock up on basic supplies before your trip so that you do not need to leave your house when you arrive home from your trip. Set up a grocery delivery with a local service or have a friend drop off some supplies when you return so that you can quarantine effectively.
And don’t forget to check the health and safety regulations imposed by your airline. Are you required to take a test before or after flying? If yes, you need to know when and where you will be taking the test, how long it will take to get results etc. It is difficult to give specifics as every country and state is slightly different however the one universal point is that you need to plan and prepare in advance.
4. Have a contingency plan in case you get sick
Getting sick before you take a trip is easy to deal with, you simply stay at home. However what we may not have considered is, what do we do if we get sick or come into close contact with someone with Covid-19 while we are away from home? Having a contingency plan in place before going on the trip is vital so that we are not putting ourselves or anyone else at risk.
If you are feeling sick, displaying symptoms or have come into contact with someone with Covid, you will need to isolate. This can be difficult to accept if you are far from home, but if you have a plan in place, it makes the process a lot less daunting. Make sure you have the resources available to stay in your destination country should you need to. Take some time to learn about the support services available in the city you are staying in and make sure to take the time to reach out to loved ones and friends so that you do not feel lonely.
As many of us start to fly again or at least start to plan trips for 2021, it is important to remember that things will not be the same. Our usual travel routines will need some tweaking in order to adjust to the new normal. Keep these things in mind when planning your next trip so that you can easily change and update your travel routine.
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