Having recently flown for the first time since the pandemic began, I witnessed first-hand how different flying is now compared to what we were used to pre-pandemic. In this blog post, I have compiled a list of top tips for you to consider when you take to the skies again!

1) Choose your destination wisely

The first, and probably most important, tip is making safer choices when booking your flights. If you are travelling for leisure, choose a destination that is domestic or closer to home. For instance, I am usually a long-haul traveller and had countries like Brazil, South Africa and Australia on my list of places to visit. However, with the current international context and increasingly complicated travel rules, I have decided to stay much closer to home. Travelling from London to Scotland meant I was still able to enjoy a plane ride, without having to do numerous COVID tests, quarantining or filling out lots of forms. Shorter routes also mean avoiding stop overs, and less time in enclosed spaces surrounded by other people.

2) Be fully aware of your airline’s protocols before you book

Countries have their own COVID travel rules, but airlines also have their own individual protocols, which are worth checking before booking your flights.

I recently witnessed first hand how quickly issues can arise if this is not followed – when I was waiting at the boarding gates in Edinburgh Airport, the flight next to mine was a Ryanair going to Brussels. A group of passengers told the crew that they had not taken a COVID test, and when questioned, they cited the exemptions on the Belgian government website, which state that Belgian nationals do not need to test when arriving from overseas. However, Ryanair still requires passengers to have had a COVID test prior to boarding. This shows the importance of checking your airline’s protocols before you book.

Airlines will also have different sanitation and safety policies. For instance, some are leaving the middle seats empty to enable social distancing within the aircraft.

3) Check-in online and print your boarding pass at home

To avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily and limiting contact with airport staff, check-in online and print your boarding pass at home, or opt for a mobile boarding pass.

4) COVID-19 pre-departure testing

Check whether you need to take a COVID test before you fly, by looking at the rules on your airline’s website and countries you are travelling from and to. Many airports now have their own testing facilities on site, as can be seen in the photo below taken at London City Airport. If you need to take a test, ensure you know the timescales, for instance, whether the test needs to be taken 72 or 48 hours before you fly.

5) Spread out in the terminal building

Airports are huge and during the pandemic, the goal is to spend as little time in crowds as possible. If you have spare time after going through security, try and find a quiet spot to sit away from other people. For my recent flight, I had about two hours spare, so I wondered around the departure gates and found a nice, empty area to sit with a great view of the runway and the planes!

You will also see social distancing signs throughout terminal buildings which will prompt you to keep your distance from others, like the sign in the photo below taken at Heathrow Terminal 5.

6) Wear a face mask

Masks are currently compulsory to wear at airports and for the duration of your flight, unless you are exempt. It is wise to also carry a spare mask. If you are flying long-haul, airlines recommend you change your mask every four hours, so definitely take a couple of masks if you are going on a long flight.

7) Carry your own hand sanitiser and avoid touching surfaces

Although airports have lots of hand sanitising stations, it is definitely worth carrying your own little bottle of hand sanitiser, so you always have one to hand – make sure it is no bigger than 100ml, to get through airport security!

Heathrow had this vending machine specifically for travel safe items, such as disposable face masks, gloves, wipes and sanitisers.

The airport has also implemented advanced technology mechanisms such as automatic lifts to avoid people touching surfaces.