How can flying be safe

For those who can afford it, private charters offer a safer space, control over the details, and overall less risk than commercial flights.

Andy Christie, global private jets director at Air Charter Service , a global charter brokerage service that helps connect travelers with private charter flights, said that taking a private charter flight can almost "completely minimize the risk of transmission," simply by reducing the number of contact points and exposures. Private charters eliminate the need to wait in lines, share a plane with strangers, or even step foot inside a terminal. The hop-on, short-haul jet service JSX offers a compromise: a private jet experience at near-commercial prices fares include checked bags, seat assignments, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol.

Their flights operate out of private hangars and terminals, and planes have been reconfigured from 50 seats down to 30, giving passengers around 36 inches of seat pitch — or a similar experience to business class seat on a major domestic airline. CEO Alex Wilcox said JSX has also implemented new pandemic-focused safety features and procedures, like mandatory face masks, enhanced cleaning, and more.

When we talk about flying, we also have to assume the risks of being in the airport. On the whole, airports are doing their part to create safe, clean spaces for travelers.

Henry Harteveldt, travel analyst and principal at Atmosphere Research, said some precautions include touchless kiosks, frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, self-removal of personal items during security checks, and plexiglass shields in front of traveler-facing employees, from gate agents to shop cashiers.

This is worth looking into, especially if you're flying into a higher-risk destination where cases are rising. Still, Dr. Nanos urges travelers to make a comparable risk assessment. Now that vaccines are available throughout the United States, more people may feel comfortable flying again. Bryan Del Monte, aviation industry expert and president of The Aviation Agency, said, "As more people get vaccinated, flights are undoubtedly going to be safer. Thus, as vaccination rates increase, I would conclude that airline travel becomes less and less likely a significant source of COVID transmission.

And even though the CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated Americans no longer have to wear masks in some circumstances, they're still required on airplanes and in airports. As the situation continues to evolve, mask requirements may vary from place to place, so check local regulations before traveling.

Unfortunately, rules and risks shift when it comes to travelers with pre-existing conditions or those who are in the vulnerable category for the novel coronavirus. Nanos echoed this advice, saying, "It's probably best for those people to kind of lay low for a little while, but again, it's that level of personal risk that everyone is willing to assume.

For the most part, assessing the risks of flying during the holidays or summer vacation season isn't much different than any other time. However, these are traditionally high volume travel periods, and statistically, there has been a spike in COVID cases after long weekends and holidays.

There have been multiple studies conducted on the safety of flying during the pandemic — and while some academic studies tout relative safety, other reports of airplane super-spreader events indicate that it is possible for the virus to spread on flights.

The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. Each flight will present its own variables and level of risk. The truth is, the lack of contact tracing and the virus' long incubation period make it tough to undoubtedly link cases to flights.

The number one thing is to recognize your responsibility. When determining whether or not to fly, consider your fellow passengers.

Remember, you may have the virus and be asymptomatic. Harteveldt also recommends taking advantage of any and all mobile apps or contactless versions of the process, like using your own personal device to stream in-flight entertainment, avoiding checking bags, and planning your trip so you spend as little time as possible in the airport.

Just urges travelers to opt for direct flights whenever possible. In addition to wearing a mask, he also advocates for speaking up "for your own interest and the interest of your fellow passengers" whenever you see someone who is not wearing a mask. Most travel insurance companies tend to exclude cover for pandemics and epidemics, if you read the fine print.

Should you be quarantined or denied entry to a country your FCM travel consultant can help with accommodation, flight changes, cancellations and alternative routing. Practice good hygiene Respiratory diseases like COVID spread through droplets of saliva or mucus, usually when people cough or sneeze, then others come in contact with the droplets. Cover up Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze into your elbow and wear a facemask to protect your fellow travelers.

Clean up While many airlines have announced an extra plane cleaning, there is no guarantee that every surface will get the full treatment. Upgrade If your travel policy allows, now is a good time to upgrade to business or first class travel. It will give you a small buffer of extra personal space and potentially less contact with other passengers Stay clear of people with a cough or cold Experts define exposure as being within 6 feet of an infected person for 10 minutes or more.

Counteract low humidity The low humidity in aircraft cabins dries out the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth, making them less effective in blocking out viruses. Have vaccinations up-to-date If not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, having all other essential vaccinations up-to-date will help you stay healthy and prevent your immune system from being compromised.

Stay up-to-date with travel advice If traveling internationally, make sure to check the US State Department website for the latest information and advice. We're here to help. Reason for your inquiry I am looking for a new travel management company I am a client and require some assistance I am a supplier and would like to partner with you. How can we help? Stay connected with the latest news and offers from FCM Travel. By proceeding, I agree to the website terms of use and to my personal information being handled in accordance with the privacy policy.

When an aircraft's ventilation system is in use, the risk of COVID transmission significantly decreases. This is how it works: Fresh, warmed and compressed air enters the cabin partly through the air-conditioning system. These filters are designed to retain The fresh air from outside and the filtered air from inside are then mixed and pushed back into the cabin. Depending on the size of the aircraft and the duration of the flight, the amount of fresh air supplied varies, as well as how often the air in the cabin is actually completely exchanged.

Reliable studies on ventilation systems in aircraft and the spread of COVID during a flight are still lacking. But experts say that air circulation and filtration systems alone cannot completely protect against infection. HEPA filters can only clean particles that reach it — so passengers need to minimize risks, such as wearing face masks, to help avoid coming into contact with particles that did not reach the filter.

The movement of passengers and cabin crew also plays a role, said Timo Ulrichs, an infection epidemiologist and professor at the Berlin-based Akkon University. When passengers and crew move about in the aircraft cabin, it can affect the direction of airflow, said Ulrichs, meaning certain air particles may linger in the cabin for longer than if passengers remain seated. This disruption, he added, could increase the risk of infection. When referring to the risks associated with people moving inside the cabin, he told DW, "the viruses, the aerosols, can then also be carried everywhere during these disruptions.

Physically distance if you can and avoid putting down tray tables to help reduce risks, say experts. Experts encourage passengers to refrain from eating or drinking while on board. But if necessary, be brief.

Each moment a face mask is removed on the plane — including eating and drinking during a flight — the risk of infection increases. The longer a passenger eats, the greater the risk of infecting someone, said epidemiologist Ulrichs. Much of this depends on passengers' hygiene. If another passenger took off their face mask while in the lavatory, more aerosolized droplets have the potential to reach you.

So experts urged wearing face masks when using the toilet. A case study published in November found that one passenger on board an evacuation flight from Milan, Italy, to Incheon, South Korea, may have been infected while using the lavatory. The passenger who became infected while likely in the lavatory reported that she wore an N95 respirator the entire flight — except while using the toilet. There are surfaces within the lavatory, beyond the toilet itself, that may have been touched by other passengers, including the water tap and door latch, for example.

So it's also important to wash your hands.