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What to know before traveling in 2021
I’m not here to judge you on whether you should travel or not. But I am here to let you know of 10 new things you should know before traveling in 2021-2022.
If you are the same age as me, or older, you know how the airline security drastically changed after 9/11. Much like different safety measures were taken in 2001, different safety measures have been made to protect passengers on planes in 2020- 2021. During this article, I will be discussing 10 things I noticed while traveling domestically in the USA during 2020- 2021.
1. Masks are required. (Ages 4+)
If you plan on traveling understand there are few exceptions to when you are allowed to remove your mask.
You may be asked to remove your mask to confirm your ID. You won’t have to take the entire mask off but you will have to pull it down for the TSA officer for confirmation.
You can remove your mask if you are eating or drinking during the flight. This is only once or twice during the flight because as we will explain later, there are limited services on flights.
You are allowed to remove your mask if the oxygen masks come down. This may seem like common sense, but it’s said during safety procedures.
All children above the age of 4 are required to wear a mask. If you plan to travel with children make sure to bring multiple incase anything happens to one. Practice wearing a mask at home while playing videogames or reading/drawing. If your child can not express whether they are unable to breath, do NOT have them wear a mask.
We ended up buying these —-> BLACK DISPOSABLE MASKS <—— these were back ups in case we were unable to wash the masks we wore on the plane, I do advise not wearing your travel mask outside the airport. Wear a different mask after leaving the airport and washing your hands.
2. Middle seats are left open
When I first booked my flight, I didn’t think twice about the seats. I usually don’t pick my own seat to save money. But if you are choosing seats with a travel mate make sure to pick one with a middle seat between you so you have the whole row to yourselves. This is an interesting way to try and enforce social distancing. Update 6/29/20: some larger airlines are beginning to book full flights, including Spirit Airlines
3. Social Distancing is Encouraged, but not Enforced
Social distancing is encouraged with places for you to stand while waiting to board, but this is not enforced. People tend to still cluster around the ticket stand waiting to be allowed on their flight.
If you want to maintain social distancing wait until all seats are called then go to the end of the line. Your seat will still be open.
You will be boarding via row instead of group. Again to help you have less contact with other passengers. You won’t have any issue with a carry on because the planes have decreased capacity by 30% (Updated 6/29/20: subject to change again in August 2020). Some Bigger airlines are already increasing there capacity. Spirit airlines did not have a seat open in the middle.
To take extra precaution I did see people wear a Plastic shield as well as there mask. I have not done this, but don’t be suprised if you see people doing this.
4. Newer Planes
On the 6 flights I took in June 2020, I noticed they were newer planes with outlets and USB ports. I’m not sure the reasoning behind this. It may be an easier plane to clean, or a convenient time to add new planes to the cycle.
That means you most likely will have a touch screen, or a tablet holder.
I don’t own a tablet (yet) so I’m not sure how well it works. Also the chairs tend to be more comfortable for your flight.
Side note: Alaska airlines and Southwest offer free movies via their app or online service. So having your own device is nice to have. The tablets on the back of the chairs are a high contact point and should be wiped down or avoided. Spirit does not have on flight entertainment.
5. More Frequent Cleaning
The airlines I flew with made it a point to explain that they are disinfecting more frequently and have the passenger’s safety in mind. But nevertheless; here are a list of contact points you should wipe off or just avoid when you get to your seat:
- Arm rests
- Tray/Touch Screen
- AC knobs
- Seat belt
- The top of the seat in front of you.
- The top of your own seat.
- Safety card
Also if you are on a flight that has a layover but on the same plane, for example my flight from LAX-SEA was the same plane to SEA-MYS you no longer have the option to stay on the plane. You must get off while they disinfect the plane.
These are the wiped I take on the plane, smaller so less space in the pack. —-> WET WIPES FOR PLANE <——-
6. Hospital grade air filtration systems.
For me this was the biggest surprise. During safety procedure, the Alaska Airlines made it a point to explain that they had hospital grade air filtration system. When I booked my flight that was one of my biggest worries. I even felt like what was the point of people wearing masks if we are all breathing the same air.
Masks are warn to prevent others from getting your sickness. They only work if people infected with the virus wears them. Because symptoms can take up to 10 days to appear, the WHO has determined its best if everyone wears a mask for now to prevent spread of the virus.
7. Minimum drink/snack selection
During the flight you are only allowed a minimal selection. It usually includes coke, Diet Coke, and water. They are smaller prepackaged cans or bottles (only 8oz). And a peanut free trail mix. The trail mix still includes wheat, milk, and soy. So if you have any allergies consider bringing your own snacks.
Before traveling in 2021 know that if you want anything extra make sure to bring it with you. You can try to find a store open in the airport, but your best bet is to bring unopened water, and your favorite supplement for flavoring. (This is mine) I also brought this proteins bar as a snack, but I wish I would have brought a little more because by the time I landed after a 4 hour flight I was starving, and nothing was open in the New Orleans Airport.
But Rach? You can only have 3 OZ of a liquid! Recently TSA has changed the rules to you can have unopened water and hand sanitizer over 3 Oz. This is a temporary change, if you have any questions feel free to research TSA covid-19 policies.
8. Stores closed in the airport.
Which brings me to the next point. There is little to nothing open in the airport. Don’t expect to be able to buy snacks or drinks in the airport. The only store I saw open was starbucks and the line was outrageous like normal. (EDIT: more stoes are opening then before in 2020 updated Jan 24 2021)
Bathrooms are open and frequently cleaned. I don’t advice using water fountains, but they are also up and running in some airports. They will have a sign if they are temporarily closed. Coffee shops know this, and are willing to give free glasses of water with purchase of a snack, or small coffee. Before traveling in 2021 be aware there may not be as many menu options.
9. Less flights (for now.)
For now we are seeing less flights. So if you need a flight to smaller airports like Fargo, ND or Tri-cities, OR be prepared to only have one or two days you can fly in or out of that airport.
The main reason for less flights is the obvious lack of passengers flying. But also to discourage people from taking unnecessary trips. The more people start to travel again, or the stay at home order gets lifted, then the more flight times we will see. For now, expect to be flexible.
Don’t be surprised if you are flown further from your location with a layover to get to your final destination. This is usually because there are more direct flights from alternative cities that need to be filled.
10. Cheaper ticket prices
As for now, ticket prices have drastically dropped. We know this is because of supply and demand of the travel industry. Less people traveling means tickets drop. That also means the rule of 7 is even more important. Every time 7 tickets to a city is bought the ticket prices will go up. Until that flight is full, then ticket prices will drop again to fill a new flight to that city.
Didn’t know that? You can get more tricks and tips like this one here.
With airlines at a 70% flight capacity and lowering the number of flights. If the price of a ticket goes up you know it won’t go back down for another 3 months or so. If you need this ticket next month and the price goes up, you should buy it ASAP before it goes up more.
For the cheapest tickets check out Skyscanner. I use it for all my flights and have yet to spend over $300 for a ticket (even to Europe).
Now what?
I want to end this article with a little advice. Take it or leave it. If you plan to travel make sure you can quarantine for 14 days when you get back. You don’t want to be the reason why your community has a high case number.
Also, be mindful of other travelers. We all are processing this pandemic differently, maybe someone needs a break from their mask and is trying to social distance, don’t walk by them and scowl. If a mom can’t keep a mask on her kid don’t stare, and if someone doesn’t want to wipe down their seat before sitting in it. Let it be. Take care of yourself, and let others process this the way they need to.
For safe places to vacation in 2021 look out for my article next week on 8 places to quarantine travel during COVID
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I hadn’t thought about number 8 stores being closed. If you cannot bring a water bottle and you cannot buy one, how do you get something to drink?
We found a kiosk that was open to get water. There are places that have food to go now. But LAX is really bad about having fast food where you can grab a water bottle, so it is often going to a coffee bean to get some ice water. I made the mistake of spending $6 on water in DEN when I know better to go find a starbucks and get free venti triple filtered water lol.