Air travel Amid Corona time

The things to take care air travel amid corona time. This is based on my recent travel experience from Hyderabad to Delhi.

I have listed all the details from the measure or checks to be done while planning air travel amid corona time to check in ,boarding ,precautions during the flight and post safety measures/tips after reaching the destination.

Planning Tips:

• Travel only if it is urgent or some emergency as air travel is under high risk as per the recent information provided by Texas Medical Association. (below picture)
• Try to book the early flights as it reduces the chances of multiple people sitting on the seat before you.
• If you have the budget, then try to upgrade to business or first class travel. It will give you some more space and potentially less contact with other passengers.

 

Date travelled was 15th June from Hyderabad to Delhi. Don’t go by date i travelled, many things are generic and are recommended and would help you.

Things you should carry (My advice based on the experience).

a) Have Glass shield on your face before entering airport. Better to have it from home(100 Rs)

b) Have mask on your face from your home (N95 – ~250Rs)

c) Have the Gloves on your hands(20 Rs) . Avoid the powder hand gloves(15 Rs).

d) Use a hand sanitizer which consists at least 60% alcohol. Keep sanitizing your hands/bags after all major touch points. (Entry, Bag drop , Security Check , Within flight your seat handles/tray, bag collection).  Don’t forget to sanitize your bag especially the handles and the sides which are more prone to be in your contact.

e) Though I did not carry but some people were wearing PPE, good to have that as well.

f) Have the boarding pass printed to avoid touches and delay.

Key is to protect your eyes, nose and mouth through which virus can enter your body.

Please Note :– Airlines will also provide glass shield/mask/sanitizer at the boarding gate. But better to have it from home specially Glass shield and mask to keep yourself safe while travelling to airport and passing through all security checks.

If you have already glass shield still you can take the one provided by Airline and keep it in your hand bag for future usage.

Avoid using taxi if possible as we would not know, who had travelled before us. The driver did the proper sanitization or not. Better if you can get one of your friend/relative to pick you or drop you to airport in his/her car.

But if you need to take OLA/UBER then always check in your city which taxi service is taking more precautions for sanitization. Like in Hyderabad, my society people suggested  UBER while in Delhi people suggested OLA.

Some other things that would be helpful too.

1) Carry your own pen in case you have to fill a form.
2) Arogya setu app (Although at airport no one asked us to show that app in our cell phones but one must have this app for his/her own information and safety)

Security Checks at Airport

Security check can be a little longer as you have to show your id and boarding pass multiple times and things are a little slower. So reach a little early.

Temperature check at multiple points

a) At airport entry (via handheld device)
b) At the boarding gate (via handheld device)
c) At Delhi exit (via some computer camera)

Tip :- Carefully take your mask/shield out from side . Don’t touch your shield/mask from the front for temperature/security check

Hyderabad and Delhi (T3) airport have done a lot they could do. Hyderabad airport is one of the best in all aspects.

Proper sanitization and social distancing is being followed at the airport. Every alternate chair is marked with warning to maintain social distancing

At the hand baggage security check , the plastic basket which we use to place our laptop, mobile ,bags etc  for  security checks are also getting sanitized after every use.

What’s different you will see at Airport

• At gate , CRPF is behind a glass/plastic  shield, while checking you and will not hold your id card or boarding pass/ticket.
• At bag drop, you will have to put sticker on your bag your self, the staff will assist you.
•  You will have to self scan your boarding pass at boarding and security check
• No food would be served on the flight.

Avoid taking your food items as it will also increase the risk if you eat in flight incase some one coughs, sneezes or even touch by mistake.

No quarantine etc. at Delhi Airport as on 15 June. No one ask anything.

Precautions to take after reaching the destination.

• Once entering home remove your shoes at your door as it could carry the virus.
• Don’t touch anything, just go directly to bathroom, put your clothes to bucket fill with water and Dettol wash them  and take bathe and don’t forget to wash your hair also.
• Suggest you to keep yourself in 7 days of quarantine for yours and family’s safety.

Time is tough but will all the precautions and proper follow of guideline we shall overcome.

Hope you like the information about air travel amid corona time please do share and subscribe to the blog.

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I travelled on 15th June. All details mentioned is of that time duration, incase you are reading this blog after months of this post ,please check the updated the government guidelines also.

#SharingIsCaring , share with your loved ones in case anyone is planning to travel