Travel with Confidence
Travel with Confidence
Travel with Confidence
Travel with Confidence
Travel with Confidence
Post-COVID travel:
What every air traveler needs to know
The number of travel safety updates and guidelines — specifically for air travel — is at an all-time high due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While fully vaccinated people have the green light from the CDC to travel with limited guidelines, we’re a long way from carefree travel.
There are several credible, trusted sources of the most up-to-date information that all travelers should review leading up to any domestic or international air travel. Because regulations and pandemic travel safety details for each destination are constantly changing, take note of the helpful links throughout this guide that can help you stay informed.
Here are some important reminders while you're on the airplane:
- Follow required flight crew instructions while on the aircraft.
- Maintain a six-foot distance before and after boarding the plane, such as on the jet bridge or at the gate.
- Keep reasonable distance onboard when stowing and removing overhead luggage.
- Clean hands and your immediate area, including tray tables, armrests and other high-touch areas.
- Wear masks at all times during the flight, except very short times to eat or drink.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Avoid congestion in the aisles throughout the trip.
- Alert a flight attendant if someone is showing symptoms of illness.
- Keep hydrated.
Source: Faculty of the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Aviation Public Health Initiative. Revised February 11, 2021.
Travel emergencies to consider before air travel
“The best-laid plans of mice and men,” as the saying goes. You can never be sure how a trip will play out, even if you’re up-to-date on all of the travel guidelines, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and alert during your trip.
Our return to regularly scheduled business in a post-pandemic world might create a few extra scenarios to stress over when considering travel (but no need to fret if you have an EA+ membership!). As the country begins normalizing air travel again, what are some potential scenarios travelers should prepare for?
In-flight medical emergencies
According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the most common types of in-flight medical emergencies are near-syncope (fainting), gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular, which occur on approximately one in every 600 flights. Most of these incidents occur between 5,000 and 8,000 feet, which means you can probably rest easy at cruising altitude.
Getting sick from other passengers
Pre-COVID 19, it was never comfortable to sit near a sneezing or coughing passenger, but in the context of the pandemic, symptomatic passengers are even more cause for concern.
Spreading COVID-19
As we know, with asymptomatic spreading events, you can never tell if you’re seated next to someone infected with the coronavirus. So, with air travel, there’s an inherent risk you’ll help spread COVID-19, although less chance if you’re fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Getting stuck in a foreign country
The average traveler can’t predict the spread of COVID-19 — even less so, how a foreign government might react to a sudden hot-spot. As outbreaks continue around the globe, the chance of getting stranded in a lockdown is still very real.
Services that provide additional peace of mind
There are many other outlets that can help you stay informed before and during your trip, and it also might be worth considering additional protections before you travel. If you’ve booked trip insurance or a travel assistance membership such as Emergency Assistance Plus® (EA+®), there are additional resources available to assist you before, during and after your trip.
If you’re venturing out for the first time after a long year of lockdowns, one of your major priorities is simply having fun. But it’s hard to thoroughly enjoy the ‘now’ if you’re worried about the ‘what if’ of every scenario. Signing up for an annual membership with EA+ can provide the serenity you’ll want when you decide to hop back on a plane and go on an adventure.
Having travel assistance is similar to having a “fixer” with you along for the journey. The service product is there to take control of situations when you’re at your most vulnerable and in dire need. For example, EA+ memberships include:
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Should you fall ill or become injured in an area with inadequate medical facilities and personnel to treat your specific medical emergency, many travel assistance services will take the lead in working out the logistics to evacuate you from that insufficient facility to one that’s appropriately equipped to address your care.
Transportation after Stabilization
Once medical professionals have stabilized you or your loved one at the facility, travel assistance will work to swiftly and safely get you back into the comfort of your own home for recovery.
Nurse Escort
Suppose your condition requires monitoring and attention along the way. In that case, travel assistance can provide a medical professional such as a nurse to join you on your trip home to ensure your care continues from hospital to house.
Return of Your Travelling Companion
While you’re escorted home, travel assistance services can also work out the logistics of updating the travel itinerary of your companion, so they’re also taken care of in the event of an emergency.
Vehicle Returns
Another important loose end that needs attention in an emergency is the return of your vehicle. Whether car or recreational vehicle, travel assistance will ensure the vehicle is returned to its proper location for added peace of mind.