In the last nine months the world has gone through a remarkable change, and perhaps one of the industries most impacted by this has been the travel industry. As a hotelier myself I saw first hand the impact and the response to Covid-19 from the hospitality industry and then, more recently have experienced travel and hospitality under ‘the new normal”.

I thought I would share a little of my experience and some suggestions for those planning travel in the next few weeks/months.

Flying

I have taken 8 flights in the last six weeks, four long haul flights with Qatar Airways and four domestic flights with Air France. 

What stood out to me the most was the difference in actions/reactions of people in regard to new heightened hygiene, social distancing and cleanliness rules and regulations.

On my first flight with Qatar Airways in business class, I was shouted at by a rather angry man who wanted me to move seats so he and his wife could have an entire row to themselves and be more socially distant fromother passengers. Having already settled in my seat, I rightfully declined, feeling if I had moved, I would have been closer to more people. The gentleman was wearing three masks and a face shield. When I politely declined, he told me kindly that he would appreciate if I kept my mask on then and not eat or drink throughout the 10 hour flight. Jokes, he was not that polite. 

On another flight a passenger in front of me had a five-minute argument with the ground crew about wearing a face shield and a mask, she insisted she should only have to wear one or the other. 

At time of travel, Qatar Airways provided small hygiene packs with gloves, a surgical mask and hand sanitizer.QA also insist you wear a face shield during boarding and disembarking, which, when you consider the confined space in the planes aisles, I felt, made total sense. Not one of the flights I took with them was full and people were spaced out as much as possible. (I had an entire business cabin to myself at one point).

Across all flights and in the airports, (DPS, DOH, CDG, ADE) I was amazed at how many people were wearing their masks incorrectly and not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A few suggestions to keep yourself safe whilst flying:

• Check your airlines website for any new updates/requirements

• IATA Travel Centre is a great resource for checking any entry requirements or restrictions for your destination

• Keep a plastic cover for your passport – consider how many times your passport is handled by airport staff.

• Bring your own anti-bacterial wipes with you as well as a mini hand sanitizer. Remember it needs to be a small bottle to meet the security criteria.

• In my experience, most airlines insist that you wear surgical masks. Consider carrying a few to change before and after your flight.

• In all airports I travelled through, the water dispensers were turned off so your re-usable bottle can stay in your checked luggage. 

• If you have a long-haul connecting flight and have transit time in between buy a lounge pass so you can grab a quick shower and change. You may also consider a laundry bag to put your dirty clothes in.

Safe travels! If you have any specific questions feel free to drop me a note.