How To Board A Plane And NOT Catch Coronavirus: 9 Safe Travel Tips For Flying

If you’ll get a dollar every time you hear any of these precautions — “stay at home, don’t travel, avoid cramped, closed areas, and keep a 6-feet distance from people” — you’d probably have enough money to buy a plane ticket. 

But what if you have no choice but to leave your home, travel, board a cramped, closed area, and stay beside a stranger a couple of inches away? Yes, we’re talking about riding a plane.

If you’re planning to travel via plane, we recommend a couple of tricks to make sure you don’t catch this deadly virus. 

1. Understand how the virus spreads

Before getting overly paranoid, it’s important to understand how exactly the virus spreads. It can be transmitted in three ways: through physical contact, droplets, and airborne transmission. 

You can get the virus if you touch a person’s hand or a surface that has been contaminated by the virus and then put your hand into your eyes, nose, and mouth. The virus can be transmitted when someone sneezes, coughs, and even talks, then let those microscopic droplets get to you. Lastly, it can also be inhaled if you’re in a cramped, closed space like an airplane since the minuscule particles may stay in the air. 

So is it okay to get paranoid now? Not really. There are ways to travel via plane and NOT get the virus. Carry on. 

2. Make great choices when booking your flight

It all starts with choosing an airline that cares. Your best option shouldn’t be the cheapest or fastest one --- it should always be the safest one. 

Pick a brand that has strict regulations and protocols:

• Do they refuse to accept travelers who are sick? 
• Are they firm in denying passengers who refuse to wear masks? 
• Do they observe safe physical distances when it comes to seating? 
• Do they limit the number of passengers on board? 
• Do they have online and contact-free checking options? 
• What are their cleaning protocols? 
• Do they disinfect the areas after every flight to ensure the safety of the passengers? 

Let these questions ground your decision when choosing the best airline to fly with. The same goes for booking the best hotel accommodation. 

3. Invest in a good face mask… not a flimsy cloth one

A cloth mask may be okay for a quick grocery run but not for a long-haul flight in a tight space. 

Surgical masks, N95, and N99 are generally more effective at blocking viruses. Besides, most airlines also warn against masks with vents because they don’t prevent germs and viruses from spreading. Masks aren’t just an effective way to prevent catching the virus — wearing them also shows that you care about others and you don’t want them to get infected (if you’re unknowingly the one who’s sick). It’s an unspoken social contract between you and everyone else on your flight. 

4. Protect your eyes too

To amp up your protection against COVID-19 transmission, consider wearing a face shield, goggles, or eyeglasses, which can keep the droplets from getting into your eyes. 

5. Carry a hand sanitizer at all times

Be mindful of where your hands are, and how often you touch your face. You should wash your hands every time you touch something before you use those hands to scratch your face. Since reaching for the cabin restroom to wash your hands every five minutes isn’t always plausible, make sure you have an alcohol-based spray or rub or hand sanitizer that’s easy to grab. 

6. Disinfect your seating area

In addition to sanitizing your hands, give yourself some peace of mind by sanitizing your seating area. Use disinfecting wipes or a napkin sprayed with sanitizers to wipe down the surfaces around you, like your seat, tray, armrests, and walls. 

7. Dress accordingly

The more skin you bare, the better. It might sound counterintuitive since we're trying to limit the exposure here but hear me out: when you wear a short-sleeved shirt, it would be easier for you to wash your hands and arms, unlike when you're wearing a long-sleeved top. 

Just make sure you sanitize regularly and change your clothes (or better, take a bath) upon reaching your hotel accommodation. 

8. Eat before you fly

It’s a must to wear your mask throughout your travel, but what if you need to eat or drink? While no one will stop you from eating your sandwich or sipping from your tumbler, you can lessen the risk by eating before boarding the plane. You might also want to pack your own food and bring your own utensils. 

9. Avoid the crowd

Gone are the days when people crowd around the gate and fight to be the first to board to claim the best overhead space. It’s not worth the risk, so try to be the one to board the last. If possible, maintain a safe distance between the person in front of you. The same goes for exiting the aircraft. 

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the seasoned writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, a modern hotel located in the heart of Western Sydney, delivering top-class Parramatta accommodation. She has always been passionate about traveling, taking photos, and writing travel tips and tricks.