Have you flown recently?
 

We are debating flying versus driving to the Villages in the Fall. We would appreciate any feedback you can offer on what you experienced re: safety, social distancing, etc on both the aircraft and the airports you were in. At this time the news concerns us enough so we want to make a safe decision.

Depends on the airline. Some are keeping the middle seats empty, some are not.


I don't think the airports are bad at all................just the plane.


How far of a drive??

Good friends just flew north to visit family and due back later this week.

My wife and I were discussing whether we need to keep extra distance when we see them on their return.

Have to worry about the flying and their activities on their trip.

Do not compromise all the careful actions taken to date.
The friends will be in an environment of opportunity for contracting the virus and should be treated as such.
If they really are good friends they will understand.

I have flown 4 times and have yet to have an issue or concern. Southwest on 3 and American on the other. Airports are San Juan, Costa Rica, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Fl, Atlanta, and Columbus, Oh. Ft. Lauderdale was the only one that gave us any pause. It was very early on and the airport was pack (as well as the plane). Since then All airports and all planes have felt very safe and very comfortable. Southwest leaves the center seat open and board 10 at a time. It has gone very smoothly as the planes are rarely over 1/2 full. I have 3 times seen the cleaning crew come into the plane to get it turned around for the next flight. It is a completely separate crew than the flight crew. They go over it VERY thoroughly. We still wipe down our area and use hand sanitizer but after seeing how seriously they take it I'm not sure that's a necessary step.

I will say I agree with others on here who say you have to do what you think is best for you and your family. I'm just sharing what our experience has been.

I've flown 3 times since mid May, all on Delta, Orlando/Detroit .No worries whatsoever. DL sanitizes the plane after every flight, only fills to 60% capacity, no middle seats, and masks are mandatory. Go for it.

This is very reassuring. I thank you for your reply and now have a good deal better feeling about whether we will fly or not.

we're not flying, until there's a vaccine

there doesn't seem to be a 14 day quarantine in FL like there is in other states

I'd drive...as you just don't know who or where the other folks on the plane have been

hotels are doing their best to clean the rooms between guests

just my 2 cents

We just did a 5 day (2-1-2) quick round trip drive to NJ. Cancelled our flights because American Airlines didn't block middle seats. Hotels were cheap and gas was cheap and not a single toll until we hit Virginia. Delta , Southwest, and JetBlue leave the middle seat empty. JetBlue has committed to the empty seats through the end of July. Southwest and Delta have said the policy will be in effect through Sept. 30. Of course IF things go bad again which seems to be expected in the fall the flights may again be empty (or cancelled).

I haven't, but my brother has.
His comment was that if you are happy shopping in a supermarket, you will have no problem flying.
In his opinion there were more stringent precuation at airports, and the planes are sanitised between trips.
The air quality is at a far higher standard on the plane, than any supermarket or shop.
He felt quite comfortable at all times, and the fares are cheap!!

Florida is the epicenter of the virus. Why would you fly or drive to Florida in the Fall?

Have flown Jet Blue and Southwest both were excellent for cleanliness and distancing of passengers and keeping masks on plane. My son flew Spirit and every seat was full and he said once seated most took of masks and nothing was said by attendants.

One suggestion. If you can afford it, fly first class. My wife and I got on the plane last and off the plane first. The airport was no problem at all. Masks and social distancing.

Just recently flew for work to Chicago and to Tennessee, everyone wearing masks, safe distance seating on the planes and the line at the checkpoint in the airport small, found no inconvenience whatsoever and everyone very cautious of the situation we are going through.

We flew to Virginia on Jet Blue who does not book the middle seat. They require a mask and both Orlando and Richmond required masks and social distancing. Every row was full so no social distancing involved. They requested everyone remain seated until the rows in front of them exited but of course quite a few people paid little attention to that.

We are flying again at the end of August.

Some planes (not United or American) are not booking the 3rd seat, BUT it only takes one person on a flught to try to take a mask stance by removing it and ranting and raving about his constitutional rights, which has happened multiple times. Then you've been exposed to that person. They may or may not have the virus. Florida's numbers are soaring. We here don't want outsiders coming in and pitentially bringing the virus with them. Unless you've been tested the day of your flight and received negative results, please don't come here.

Exactly

Cabin air on most planes is completely exchanged by being filtered and mixed with 50% clean outside air every 3-4 minutes.

I just flew home yesterday. I also flew 10 days ago. I would absolutely not be afraid to fly. Everyone wears masks. The air is recirculated and hepa filtered every two hours. The airlines really need the business. And I am living through this thing believing that hyper fear over everything about this virus is not the way to be. I try to live my life as normal as possible, but using wisdom and common sense.

I flew a couple weeks ago Allegiant Airlines Sanford to Appleton WI & return. Only thing different is wearing a mask in the airports & on the planes. Planes were packed, airports busy.

Flew Spirit plan was full. They required masks and made sure they were worn over mouth and nose. Plane was clean on boarding.

I flew 2 weeks ago from Maine on Southwest. Had to wear a mask. We were spaced apart, every other seat. Very easy and I felt very safe.

Southwest is keeping the middle seat clear. They change the cabin filter each flight for more safety. They have the safest protocol right now. The airports are a bit different since they do not require the masks to be worn. Stay your distance and wear a mask and you should be great and safe on your flight. Minimize the time your actually in the airports since a few non believers are there.

I just flew on Jet Blue Sunday. Plane was more than 1/2 empty. Everyone was required to wear a mask unless eating. Boarded back to front. Used restroom before boarding. I felt safe, my mask has a hepa filter.

All of Florida is not the epicenter south Florida is a problem

If your not flying until the fall what is going on now May be very different then agree months from now. Hopefully it will be even better than it is now. Make your reservations now and make sure you will get a refund if you cancel. Then check to see how things are a few weeks before you leave. More than likely it will be about the same and with what the airlines are doing now you will be fine,

Incorrect!!!
Miami is the focus in "the state of Florida".
That is exactly how the media prefers to create a more scary impression than actually exists.

Why would anyone dump the entire state because of one specific area?

The airport and planes were fine, flew to the West Coast, paid more for a direct flight. The problem was the drive back to the Villages on the airport shuttle. There was a man coughing and hacking away the entire trip home. We asked the driver to open windows to get fresh air circulation and he said NO. We asked this man to put on a mask, he said he couldn't cough with a mask on and said it was just a cold. He flew back from LA. We were all very uncomfortable. We self quarantined and both came down with a fever, cough, the runs, were totally exhausted and ached all over. Our dr. said to stay home unless things got worse. It took almost 3 weeks to feel OK again. My point here is, the plane and airport were fine, the ride from airport to the Villages was not. Rent a car at the airport for 1 day and drop it off the next day here in the Villages, it costs about the same or less and is much safer. We will do that next time.

We flew and felt safe.
 

Wife and I flew Illinois to Sanford and back a few days later on Alllegiant. The airport wasn’t crowded and the airplanes were clean. Crew wore masks, as did most of the passengers - until seated. Separation was good because plane wasn’t full. Good to ask others because, if you’re getting your direction from “the news,” your misinformed. Only YOU can keep yourselves safe, and only you should decide what’s best for you.

We flew from Virginia on Spirit on back on JetBlue. No problem with either airline. Middle seats were empty except for a couple families. Masks mandatory. They boarded by rows allowing time between groups so no one was standing in the aisles. Airports were pretty empty. Security screening maintained social distancing as well. I would not hesitate to do it again.

My friend just drove up no quarantine and no check points ! So did my friends family! It’s a bs Cuomo is trying to stop people from coming up !

Flew up to MA last week. Traffic to and within the airport very light. Everyone wearing masks. Flew Jet Blue and flight was not even 1/2 full. Planes were clean and we brought our own disenfectant wipes as a precaution. Felt safe. I’ve attached a couple of pics from inside the plane.

Flew back to NY 3 weeks ago on Frontier. Everyone had to wear masks the entire flight. Plane was about 2/3 full. They did announce they are using hepa air filters. The longest lines at Orlando airport were at food courts because only half of restaurants are open.

I fly on Southwest Airlines every week and feel just fine. Boarding is done in groups of 10 to keep social distancing. Middle seats are kept open. Cleaning crews come on each flight and completely sanitize the entire plane including seatbelts, tray tables, seats, overhead bins, call button and light switches. Flight crews do a modified beverage service to adhere to social distancing recommendations , the air in the cabin is exchanged with outside air every three minutes, masks are required...If you’re not afraid to go to Publix you should not be afraid to get on an airplane!

My son came from NH to visit us last month and he said there was 17 people on the flight, and even less a week later when he flew home.

Flying versus driving
 

I worked for a major airline and although the aircraft is disinfected between flights, it is still a cause for alarm. You may bring sterile wipes and clean all surfaces especially the tray, but remember someone was probably sitting in the seat you have a few minutes before. On all modern aircraft, passengers and crew breathe a mixture of fresh and recirculated air. If someone has symptoms it's very possible you may be exposed. Also, as someone has said, you need to quarantine for two weeks.

We flew United, middle seats empty, airport and check through easy, place very clean (Newark) everyone had a mask. IMO as safe as it can get, this virus has become a political foot ball and AGAIN IMO if a vaccine is made without at LEAST a 5 yr test to see if it has any UNINTENDED consequences it would be like playing Russian roulette to take it!

I just flew in and out of Orlando to see Mom. No problem. Bring a mask. Had to wear it the whole flight.

Won’t you need a car when you get here anyway?

Flew Spirit MCO-ACY beginning of month. Plane about 90% full, no social distancing, everyone wearing masks.