Most Americans are not unfamiliar with associating fear with flying. According to the Washington Post, around 40% of Americans admit to having a fear of flying. With COVID throwing a wrench into most people’s 2020 travel plans, there are even more concerns with safety when flying this year.

Many people are choosing alternate forms of transportation in lieu of flying. Some people are choosing to vacation closer to home, while others are willing to drive further distances than they normally would. Flying, however, still remains the most convenient form of traveling coast-to-coast, and with airline prices plummeting, you may find yourself considering traveling by plane.

What are some changes that you can expect to see in the airports and on board your flight?

Faster Lines

One of the first things you may notice is that airports are less crowded than normal. American Airlines reported a reduction of 45% flights for the month of July. Less flights leaving and arriving at airports mean smaller crowds to contend with. While you still want to give yourself plenty of time for both domestic and international flights, don’t be surprised if you find yourself moving through checked bag, security, and boarding lines much faster than normal.

Spaced Seating

Many airlines have tried to socially distance seating as much as possible. While that’s not always possible in tight spaces such as airplanes, airlines such as Delta Airlines and Alaska Airways are choosing to keep middle seats unoccupied or not filling certain rows. Masks are mandatory on most major airlines and within the airports, and airlines reserve the right to deny you future reservations if you do not comply with these protocols.

Changes in Flight Services

Most flights typically offer beverages and snacks, either complementary or for sale. To limit the potential for COVID exposure, some airlines are choosing to modify their in-flight services. These changes can include eliminating the standard food and drink offerings to all passengers, and instead, offering these refreshments on an individual basis if requested.

Additional Sanitation Procedures

You can also expect to see more disinfecting and sanitizing happening both on the plane and in the airport. Hand sanitizer stations are more widely found in airports along with both paper and audio announcements reminding passengers about COVID precautions. You may be offered disinfecting wipes upon boarding the plane, which you can use to wipe down the drop-down table on the back of the chair in front of you, along with arm and head rests.

If you do decide to take a flight during this time, keep in mind that you will have to do a little more preparation than normal. While you may spend less time waiting in lines, you will have to make time for meals before and after your flights. You will also want to make sure you bring along your own bottle of hand sanitizer (abiding by the 3.4 oz rule). Additionally, you need to make sure you have a proper face covering, otherwise you will not be able to board your flight.