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Jun 3, 2020 • 6 min read
Perhaps the biggest question that many of us are asking is when we’ll be flying again — and when we’ll be comfortable doing so. Aviation journalist John Walton shares his own thoughts on what considerations should be taken into account.
As someone who grew up on three continents and has friends on six, the isolation and reduced worldview of quarantine has been impactful. While airlines are starting to relaunch their services with initially limited schedules, is it truly safe to fly? Would I board a plane right now? What about in July or October?
Each individual’s answer will differ, and every situation has its unique elements. Let me clarify: I have no current plans to travel, and I believe that for most people, it makes the most sense to stay close to home and isolate from others for now.
However, here’s what I’ll be considering when I begin to evaluate whether it’s safe and sensible to fly again.
Let’s start with the purpose of travel: is it essential? It seems logical to think that, once restrictions are lifted, traveling for something like (god forbid) a family funeral would be reasonable. However, going to a resort for a summer holiday may be less justifiable. Visiting a friend or having someone visit for a couple of weeks this summer seems like a lower risk to me. I’ll keep an eye on developments and heed expert advice.
Understanding My Health Status and Risks
In the coming months, I would not consider traveling without access to antibody testing to understand if my symptoms in March were related to COVID-19. At that time, I was not exhibiting what were then the typical symptoms, but as time passed, the list of symptoms expanded to include headaches, congestion, and body aches.
If I had been infected, I would want to be assured that current scientific research supports the idea that antibodies from previous infections provide protection against reinfection. Conversely, if it was just a common cold, I would be significantly less inclined to travel pre-vaccine.
Additionally, I would assess my overall physical and mental health, and my decision would certainly shift if I found myself in a high-risk group.
The ultimate goal for many of us is a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Its development, accessibility, and distribution are set to raise important ethical questions, prompting me to reflect on whether it is right for me to utilize a vaccine for the sake of travel when it could potentially benefit someone else in greater need.
Travel and Medical Insurance Considerations
Among my primary queries will be whether I can obtain travel insurance — and travel medical insurance — for my journey, including the coverage they offer and potential exclusions.
I would likely abstain from traveling for anything less than a critical family emergency without assurance from my insurer that COVID-19-related disruptions or illnesses are covered by the policy.
Moreover, I might contemplate traveling to a nearby country where I could feasibly return without excessive costs, such as renting a car, should my transportation be canceled.
The healthcare situation is also contingent on the destination: as an EU resident, I have access to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), enabling access to state-provided healthcare in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. I would feel more secure traveling in these areas or countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Governmental and Airline-Specific Considerations
I would also need to ensure that I’m satisfied with the standard of healthcare at my destination as well as in any countries I transit through. Moreover, the COVID-19 risk in these locations should ideally mirror that of my home environment.
I would also examine recommendations from my government regarding the advisability of travel. If there’s a do-not-travel or essential-travel-only directive in effect, that significantly impacts numerous factors.
Practically, this affects the general counsel on whether I should travel there, the extent of insurance coverage in case things go awry, and the level of support my consular officials can offer if issues arise.
Additionally, pertinent restrictions on arrivals in my destination would be crucial: if the local government restricts visitors, particularly from my country, that would certainly be a dealbreaker. The same applies to the return situation; if restrictions are in place that prevent my return, I would refrain from traveling.
Questions regarding quarantine periods also arise. The implications of cost and the rationale of the travel decision itself would complicate matters, especially if I must self-quarantine upon arrival and manage logistics like shopping and food deliveries in a foreign land.
Moreover, I would contemplate the possibility of needing to quarantine at home upon my return, and how that could affect my professional and personal life.
Finally, I would evaluate my confidence in the airline I intended to fly with. Do they enforce a mandatory mask policy? How has the airline’s leadership responded to the current crisis? Are they financially stable? What is their approach to social distancing between seats, especially considering the aircraft configuration?
Ultimately, I would ensure that I have sufficient funds readily accessible. This safety net would be crucial in case of unexpected changes during the trip, such as a second wave or the need to return home swiftly.
Ultimately, this decision is highly personal and varies from one individual and situation to another. I’m very interested in hearing your thoughts on how you plan to navigate these travel choices — feel free to share your insights on Twitter: I’m @thatjohn.
