10 Things Travelers Need to Know About Flying Right Now

Air travel has undoubtedly changed in the time of coronavirus but not entirely for the worse. While security checkpoints and cramped seats still exist depending on when and where you're traveling, passengers will notice some welcome changes. Beyond what's different, travelers should ultimately know that it is still safe to fly.

While social distancing will inevitably become more challenging as more travelers return to the skies, "most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes," the CDC states. What's more, a recent study found that the chances of contracting COVID-19 while wearing a mask on a commercial airline are comparable to that of being struck by lightning, or about one in half-a-million due to fast and effective air filtration and recycling and high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters.

Unsurprisingly, airports and airlines are requiring face masks with many carriers strengthening their policies in recent months. For example, Alaska Airlines requires that all guests age two and older wear a cloth mask or face covering over their nose and mouth with no exceptions. Travelers should also know that masks with exhaust valves and bandanas that don't fit securely around the chin aren't likely to be accepted. Refusing to comply with face mask requirements could result in being banned from future travel.

Travelers will notice deeper and more frequent cleaning at airports, especially in high-traffic areas. In May, Pittsburgh International Airport became the first in the United States to deploy cleaning robots using ultraviolet light technology designed to kill potentially harmful microbes in high-traffic areas. Onboard, airlines have been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health experts to elevate cleaning and hygiene standards. In addition to more thorough wipe downs of seats, tray tables and other areas, electrostatic and fogging procedures are some of the ways airlines are keeping passengers safe.

Many airlines limited capacity to allow for middle seats to remain open so that passengers could physically distance in the months after the pandemic was first declared, but as science continues to show that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in-flight is low, demand increases and airlines struggle to stay in business, this trend is quickly going away. As of December, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue are the only U.S. airlines blocking seats. JetBlue will end all capacity limits beginning January 8, 2021, while Delta has committed to limiting capacity on flights departing now until March 30, 2021.

Airlines have adjusted their in-flight service in the time of coronavirus to limit interaction between passengers and crew members, reducing menu options in some cases and allowing customers to pre-order in advance in others.

While passenger counts are picking up nearly nine months after the pandemic was first declared, especially around the holidays, travelers will notice fewer crowds, which means shorter security lines and more space in gate areas.

Depending on the destination, travelers may need to take a COVID-19 test and produce a negative result within 72 hours of travel. Hawaii and New York are among those allowing passengers to bypass mandatory quarantine with proof of negative results. Additionally, some airlines are making it easier to get tested by offering convenient at-home options.

It's no secret that airlines and the travel and tourism industry as a whole are hurting, and that means carriers are more desperate for your business than ever before. Fare sales have become increasingly more common in 2020 so travelers can expect to stretch their budget much further.

With travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and fewer people traveling, airlines have been forced to cut back on their route network so passengers shouldn't anticipate the same options compared to early 2020. Fortunately, airlines are expanding their schedules as more places open up and demand continues to rise.

Eliminating physical contact and limiting face-to-face interaction is more important than ever, and airlines like Spirit Airlines have taken notice by introducing biometric check-in assistance and other technology that allows passengers to avoid unnecessary physical contact.