OUR TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE WHEN FLYING

OUR TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE

WHEN FLYING

As you head off on your Festive season break, you may be dealing with some anxiety on how to keep safe, especially if you’re going to be flying.

Thankfully, the stats show that flying isn’t nearly as scary as we may have initially thought. Out of 1.2 billion travellers who have flown in 2020, only 44 COVID-19 cases were reported in which transmission was thought to have occurred on the airplane (this includes confirmed, probable and potential cases).

Airplanes use hospital theatre-grade air filtering systems that recirculate cabin air every three minutes, meaning that the air on the plane may be healthier than the air circulating in your office, according to the EU Aviation Safety Agency. Secondly, airlines have stepped up their cleaning procedures even more, deep cleaning aircraft as per IATA’S stringent guidelines to minimise any droplets that may linger on surfaces.

Nevertheless, here are the Flight Centre Experts’ top tips to keep safe when flying:

• Don’t fly if you are feeling ill

Having a compromised immune system already increases your risk of contracting the virus and puts other people at risk. Call any of our experts to change your date, should this be the case.

• Plan ahead

Fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants travel is, for now at least, off the cards. While you can snap up a great last-minute special for local travel, you are going to need time to get your ducks in a row.

Keep your distance in queues, at the airport and other public areas.

• Allow extra travel time

The travel journey – from getting to the airport to checking in to your hotel – may take longer. Allow for extra time throughout so you do not feel rushed, or heaven forbid, miss a flight because you haven’t made provision for the extra time needed to pass through all the new health and safety checks. Be patient and expect longer queues.

• Plan ahead when it comes to parking

Check if your usual airport parking spot is open and if the same parking charges apply! Be sure to confirm upon arriving at any airport, as parkade areas may have been redesigned in recent months.

• Wipe down surfaces

Wipe down tray tables, bathroom door handles, and armrests. Use disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser to keep your space and your hands clean throughout your flight, minimising your chances of catching any other germs too, such as the pesky common cold or flu.

• Bring your own food and entertainment

Most airlines have stopped the inflight food and beverage service and removed magazines from seat pockets. Avoid rumbling tummies and boredom by packing your own snacks, drinks (purchased after security), and entertainment for you and your little ones.

• Opt for contactless

Passengers are encouraged to use mobile, or Whatsapp boarding passes for their flights, and scan their boarding passes without touching the scanner. ID documents will be shown, but not handed, to airport personnel. Passengers are now required to pack all items into their hand luggage, except for laptops that can be placed in the security tray.

As an added precaution on board, turn the ventilation nozzle above your seat towards your head to increase the airflow.

Pack a “fly-safe” kit – a face mask, sanitising wipes and sanitiser spray should all be included in this kit, use inflight.  Wear your mask throughout the flight and in the airport as currently mandated on most flights across our domestic and regional network.

Content per Flightcentre.