On Sunday, November 1st, I took my first flight since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March. My last flight was just before the lockdown when I returned from Trinidad & Tobago Carnival on March 1st. So that’s eight whole months without flying for me when I usually fly at least every couple of months for personal or business travel. I had taken road trips during those eight months, but flying was a big deal.
I traveled to Hawaii for this trip with my boyfriend and his two teenage daughters on Southwest Airlines. We were excited about getting away and anxious, considering we were in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. One thing that helped with the nervousness was understanding the science on the transmission of the virus and knowing what airlines were doing to help keep people safe.
I knew that the risk of contracting the coronavirus during air travel is lower than from an office building, classroom, supermarket, or commuter train. The air is cleaner due to the filtration systems, which flow from top to bottom with relatively little airflow forward and backward between rows. Also, Southwest was leaving middle seats open. Finally, per airport rules, all passengers would be wearing masks on and off the plane, which helps prevent people with COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. They can also limit other’s exposure to respiratory droplets in the air. We did have to take a PCR test to enter Hawaii, but we knew few people on our flight would have taken a test because it was not a direct flight.
At The Airport
I had my mask on when I entered Midway Airport in Chicago because I already had it on during my Uber ride that morning. The check-in area was quiet. I dropped off my largest bag at the Southwest counter and headed to the TSA pre-check line. Security was a breeze since I didn’t have to remove my shoes or my laptop. Finally, I headed to my gate to wait for my crew to show up.
Southwest Ticket Counters
Everywhere I looked, I saw signs reminding travelers about staying six feet apart from others and to always wear a mask. There were hand sanitizing stations around too. I felt pretty comfortable because there were no crowds and people were wearing their masks. Of course, some people were not wearing them correctly, but most people were following the rules. My boyfriend and I even enjoyed a drink at the bar near our gate before boarding our flight.
Southwest’s Boarding and In-Flight Procedures
Pre-pandemic, Southwest’s group boarding process could mean up to 60 people in a double-file line approaching the gate. They are currently boarding groups of 10 people at a time. This means you need to be at the gate listening for your boarding group and be ready to board when called.
Southwest has open seating, and we sat towards the front of the plane, just ahead of the wings. Since there were four of us traveling, we had more than enough room because middle seats were left unoccupied. In addition, Southwest served complimentary snacks and water, along with a disinfecting wipe. Based on past experience, it was a little odd being on a Southwest flight without using drink tickets to order alcoholic drinks.
On The Tarmac
Our Connecting Flight
The layover was in Oakland, California. We had a chance to get some food during our connection, although most restaurants and shops were closed. There were a limited amount of restaurants or eateries open for takeaway only. It was now afternoon on the west coast, and it felt more crowded in this airport versus our late morning flight out of Chicago. But we did find areas in the airport, near our gate, to put some distance between ourselves and other travelers. For the long flight to Honolulu, water and snacks were served a couple of times. We landed safely and were excited to start our vacation.
Overall Experience
The most important thing is that we felt safe. There was key information I knew ahead of time that put my mind at ease. Also, my habits from dealing with the pandemic for eight months will always serve me well, like frequent hand washing, not touching my face, and properly wearing my mask.
I think it’s crucial to be conscientious of the people around you. It isn’t always possible to keep six feet away from others, but everyone should stay aware of their surroundings. We’re all getting used to traveling this way, and feeling safe means something different to each individual.
Check out the video I took of the whole experience!
Safe and happy travels!
Tamara