Air travel today looks vastly different from what it was before. The fear of  COVID-19 transmission has significantly reduced the demand for air travel, causing airlines to cut back their flights. We’ve all been adapting to the new normal over the past several months and travel is now slowly coming back. 

While traveling by plane during this time may seem scarier than ever before, according to a recent study, the risk of getting infected on the plane is actually quite low. On a full flight, the odds of infection are just 1 in 4,300, and the odds lower to 1 in 7,700 if the airline has adopted the middle seat open policy. Note that current flights are also generally not full due to low demand in travel.

We will be back to traveling… soon. When that time comes, will travel look the same as before? Most likely not! We have witnessed how travel trends have changed during the pandemic and examined how it might look like post-pandemic. 

When travel does return, what travelers value won’t be the same as before. Surveys were conducted to better understand the preferences and attitudes of travelers - let’s explore the results!

This pandemic has upended the travel and hospitality industry. Some airlines filed bankruptcies while those airlines and hotels that are still running are continuing to update their safety measures to ensure your well-being. The travel industry has been ever-changing during this time - here are some updates from different areas in the industry.

So much has happened over the past several months: stay-at-home orders, social distancing requirements, and restrictions on non-essential travel. Airlines, hotels, and other travel service providers have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, airlines have updated their cancellation policies, cleaning regimes, and loyalty program qualifications. Once bustling, crowded airports are now empty; once full flights are now operating at reduced capacity. Read on as we explore some major events in the airline industry during this time.

Traveling by plane can be convenient, especially if you’re traveling longer distances. Before you head to the airport, you should prepare your travel essentials, which includes your belongings and travel documents. Make sure to also double-check that your personal information provided to the airline is correct to avoid any hassle. You don’t want to be at the airport ready to fly, only to be turned away by TSA or the airline for a minor spelling error in your name. If you need to correct the name on your ticket, we’ve compiled tips and major airlines’ policies for you.