2020 was the year of grounded flights and canceled trips. It is a brand new year, and we are so excited to get traveling again, and we are not alone. Many surveys suggest that travelers are eager to start exploring again, however only if their safety concerns are met. Feeling safe and staying healthy is going to be the top concern for travelers in 2021 and beyond. We have spent a lot of time writing about what airports are doing to help passengers navigate the new normal as they return to travel. But it is equally important to understand what travelers want and what they consider the most important.
Plaza Premium Group conducted a survey where they asked over 2000 travelers their thoughts and expectations on travel in 2021 when they expected to travel, and what would be vital to make them feel safe. Here are some of the key points found in the survey.
Source: https://issuu.com/plaza-network/docs/what_is_the_new_normal_in_airport_h_370336b93f6aca?sc_src=email_4088035&sc_lid=207579285&sc_uid=rHkDaHb8tY&sc_llid=6966
49% of travelers consider hygiene and safety a priority.
There has been a strong focus on hygiene and safety in the last year across all industries. It is no surprise that travelers need to know that airports and airlines are making it a top priority in order to feel safe. The crowds, enclosed spaces, and multi-touch surfaces associated with air travel need to be addressed, and airports and airlines need to prove to customers that they are doing everything they can to make the spaces safe. Airports and airlines should be introducing measures such as increased cleaning and hygiene protocols, contactless processes, staggered arrival times, and social distancing.
83% consider airport lounges and in transit hotels essential.
This is an interesting one. Presumably, it only applies if airport lounges either have private spaces travelers can book or drastically limit the capacity. Anyone who has spent time in a busy lounge pre-Covid will know they are not the best spaces to stay away from other travelers. However, if lounges limit numbers and apply social distancing measures, they could become sanctuaries for weary travelers. And access to lounges and to private rooms in transit hotels will become a highly sought after benefit that travelers are willing to invest in. Access to these spaces will become a must-have benefit in credit card, airport reward, and travel wellness programs, such as Sanctifly.
83% of travelers consider wearing a mask as the most important preventive measure during travel.
Studies show that masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth, therefore preventing your respiratory droplets from reaching others and, when others wear them, preventing their respiratory droplets from reaching you. Masks are most effective when everyone wears them and travelers are recognising this. The problem occurs when everyone is not on the same page. Airports and airlines can help to support travelers by enforcing mask-wearing in the airport and on the flight.
Check out this article for tips on the mask hygiene.
While wearing a mask is considered the most important preventive measure, according to travelers, there are many other measures that should also be implemented by the air travel industry. These include:
Body temperature checks
An elevated temperature is a key indication that you have contradicted Covid-19. While everyone should be monitoring their temperature themselves and stay at home should they notice a change, this is not always feasible. Airports and airport facilities, such as lounges, should implement temperature checks in order to screen passengers.
Availability of hand washing facilities and sanitizer
Wash and sanitize your hands was the calling card of 2020 and it will continue into 2021. The availability of handwashing facilities and hand sanitizer should be widely available across airports and on planes. While it is expected that the airport or airline will provide access to these items, bringing your own can bring great peace of mind. The TSA recently increased the liquid allowance for hand sanitizer in carry-on luggage from 3.4 oz to 12 oz so that travelers can bring larger quantities on their trips. Please note that this increase does not apply to other liquids. Travelers can also pack some disinfectant wipes to wipe down the seat and tray table when boarding the plane. Again, the airline will have hygiene protocols in place for between flights, however, for peace of mind, it can be good to do it yourself.
Social distancing
Maintaining social distance is a huge factor in preventing the spread of Covid-19. We have all now become accustomed to staying 2m apart and following social distancing signs and floor stickers when in public places, and the airport is no different. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully while in high traffic areas such as security control and keep your distance from other passengers as much as you can. Do not sit down next to another passenger while waiting at the gate, even if it is the only seat! Check out this article for some inspiration on how and where to find quiet space at the airport.
Although some airlines are practicing this by blocking the middle seat, be prepared that this is not the case for every flight. Some airlines, in a bid to earn more revenue after a quiet year, are selling every seat they can, and therefore there is no social distancing on planes. If you do not feel comfortable sitting next to a stranger during a flight, make sure to check with your airline prior to departure and enquire about their social distancing policy.
Contactless experiences
The pandemic has expedited the need for more seamless and contactless processes at airports. Whether we are talking about checking in, passport control, accessing gate information, and even ordering food and entering airport facilities such as lounges, so much can be done through an app or online platform. When almost every traveler has a smartphone and access to free Wi-Fi, there is no limit to what we can make contactless. We were starting to see this becoming a trend in recent years, with airports promoting online processes as more convenient and time saving for travelers. The pandemic has shown us that we can rely on technology for a lot of these processes, and we should embrace that in order to stay as safe and healthy as possible while on the road.
A key point that emerges from this survey and many others is that travelers, airports, and airlines need to work together to make these safety measures work. We need to maintain a social distance, but the airports and airlines need to facilitate it. There should be access to hand sanitizer and increased cleaning of surfaces, but we should also bring our own sanitizer and avoid touching unnecessary surfaces.
At Sanctifly, we are committed to helping our members and travelers everywhere stay safe and healthy as we return to travel. With vaccines on the horizon and travelers eager to take to the skies again, it is clear that we will be on the road again soon. However, we all still want to be as safe as possible, and everyone needs to do their part. As well as providing access to wellness facilities all over the world, at Sanctifly, we are constantly sharing useful information about health, wellness, nutrition, exercise, and traveling in the post-Covid world. Make sure to download the Sanctifly app and follow us on social media to get all the information you need to Travel Well in 2021!
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