The coronavirus has halted many activities and events in 2020. Although many have made their peace with not fulfilling certain plans, celebrating the holidays with loved ones may be tougher to give up for others. As we dive into the holiday season, many people are wondering, “is it safe to fly for Thanksgiving during COVID-19?” Holiday travel can be nerve–wracking during this time, but there are certain precautions you can take and plenty that are being implemented in airports to make travel during the COVID-19 pandemic as safe as possible. You can also learn more about plane sanitation from our airline dispatcher school in Fort Lauderdale.
Traveling on Thanksgiving Day: Coronavirus Edition
When November 26th comes around, lots of families will be wondering if it’s safe to fly for Thanksgiving during COVID–19. This is arguably one of the busiest times of the year for flying. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported over 26 million passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2018 alone.1 However, coming in contact with this many people amidst the coronavirus pandemic can be worrisome. Luckily, certain guidelines have been put in place by airlines and the TSA to ensure safe air travel on Thanksgiving Day.
The airlines are now heavily enforcing the use of masks in the airport and on flights. Mask use is extremely important during this time, no matter where you go. The use of masks has been proven to greatly reduce the chances of contracting the coronavirus and spreading it to others. No matter what airline you fly with, you have to wear a mask on a plane. People are also being seated farther apart than before the pandemic, an attempt to enforce social distancing. When planning your trip, you should compare airlines to ensure you’re comfortable with their seating arrangements, as these may vary depending on the airline.
What You Should Do Before Flying During COVID-19
In addition to picking the right airline, there are plenty of other things you can do ahead of time to ensure safe Thanksgiving travels.
Get Tested
Not only are tests sometimes required for travel, depending on where you’re going, it’s also a courtesy you should extend to avoid potentially spreading the virus to others. Get tested to make sure you’re negative for COVID before flying for the holidays.
Stock up on Hand Sanitizer
Buying plenty of hand sanitizer to have with you while in the airport and on the plane can help you greatly reduce your chances of picking up the virus from surfaces you may touch. The TSA has changed its regulations on how much hand sanitizer you can bring on a plane, making it possible for passengers to bring more with them on their trips. Have your hand sanitizer within reach so you can rub some into your hands after touching any surfaces, suitcases, etc.
Take Plenty of Masks
Make sure you have plenty of masks with you. If your masks are reusable, you should always have an extra to use so you can wash the other one regularly. It’s also a good idea to use a clean mask every time you go out and to wash your mask after using it.
Avoid Going out Before Traveling
Even if you’ve tested negative for COVID, you aren’t ready to travel on Thanksgiving Day by air yet. To avoid possibly contracting the virus before your trip, avoid going out anywhere beforehand. This can give you some peace of mind about your condition before coming in contact with others.
For those wondering, “is it safe to fly for thanksgiving during covid-19?”, there is no set answer. Although flying for the holidays during COVID-19 is up to you, staying at home and celebrating with the people you live with is the best way to avoid getting or spreading the virus.
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is one of the oldest aviation training institutions in the United States, where you can take a flight dispatcher course and obtain your FAA dispatcher license. Sheffield has an outstanding reputation in the aviation industry, recognized by companies like Delta, United, KLM, American, Virgin Australia, Cayman Airways, Shanghai/China Eastern, ExpressJet, Federal Express, UPS, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, United Technologies, Mobil Oil, Gulf Air, Atlantic Southeast, Comair, Mesaba, Horizon, American TransAir, and many others for aircraft dispatcher training. If you’re interested in becoming an aircraft dispatcher, contact us to get started: 954-581-6022.
