10 Things Flight Attendants Want You to Know About Flying During a Pandemic

Air travel has always had its share of special rules, and precautions multiplied considerably after 9/11. Now, due to COVID-19, folks have a host of new concerns about flying—but fortunately, you can prepare for takeoff in ways that will protect you, your fellow passengers, and the flight crew from contracting and spreading the virus. While getting on a plane may be a bit more complicated at the moment, forewarned is forearmed, so if you’ll be traveling, read up right here to learn 10 crucial things that flight attendants want you to know before boarding begins.

You’re wise to find out how the airline you use practices social distancing measures. At press time, only a few airlines were keeping middle seats open, including Delta and Southwest (which has vowed to do so through October 2020). If you’re concerned about sitting next to strangers who might be carrying the virus, check the particular airline’s current passenger capacity policy before booking a trip. If an airline isn’t blocking the middle seat or is operating at close to full capacity, you could end up being much closer to people than you’re comfortable with during the flight.

Related: 10 Things to Know Before Getting on an Airplane

Airlines are taking extra precaution to keep spaces cleaned and disinfected for everyone’s protection. Alaska Airlines, for example, claims its crews are paying more attention to cleaning frequently touched spaces, such as arm rests, seat belts, tray tables, overhead controls, light buttons, and the exterior and interior door handles for the bathrooms. This is performed on planes that are on the ground longer than an hour. Electrostatic sanitizing spray is also in use to disinfect all aircrafts at all hubs. This electrically charged spray essentially traps droplets on surfaces, allowing cleaning crews to wipe them up rather than spread them around. British Airways claims its planes are disinfected after every flight and completely cleaned “from nose to tail” daily. They also sanitize surfaces such as your seat, screen, seat buckles, and tray tables before every flight. If you have concerns or questions about what your particular airline is doing to disinfect and clean planes between flights, reach out to them before your trip!

If you have any type of illness, are visibly unwell, or have a fever, be aware that some airlines may not allow you to board your flight. For example, Air Canada is conducting temperature screenings on all passengers flying both within Canada and on flights in and out of the country. If you have an elevated temperature, you will be denied boarding and provided with information about seeking medical care and rescheduling your flight. Other airlines, such as American Airlines, are simply asking passengers if they have been free of COVID symptoms for 14 days. If you have a fever, cough, congestion, body aches, or other symptoms of COVID, reschedule your flight.

COVID-19 doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, and the section you book—first, business, or economy class—won’t necessarily offer you a safer trip. Sitting in first class may not reduce your chances of contracting the virus, because there is no middle seat to leave vacant in this section, and not all airlines are reducing first class capacity. Check airline passenger capacity in each section before going for a pricier ticket.