Post COVID-19: What to Prepare for in the Future of Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes that are sure to have long-lasting effects on society. One of the biggest changes that you’re likely to see for many years to come is how you travel, and it’s important to know what to expect so that you can prepare yourself better for all your future trips. Here are a few things that you should prepare to face when traveling in the post-COVID-19 era.

More Contactless Options

COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that viruses can spread easily when people touch contaminated surfaces, and many airports have taken measures to give travelers more contactless options. Contactless technology makes it possible for you to use your cell phone to pull up your boarding pass virtually to have it scanned by a contactless scanner. 

There are even some buttonless airport elevators that instead use heat sensor technology from a person’s hand to select floors without having to make physical contact. Person-to-person contact is also minimized with greater advancements in body scanning technology at security checkpoints that don’t require physical pat-downs from TSA personnel. As Yahoo! Life explains, passengers are even being encouraged to check-in online for their flights instead of at the airport to reduce human contact further.

Fewer Carry-ons

Even though airlines may not ban carry-on luggage entirely, more people are being discouraged from bringing bags with them aboard airplanes to stow in the overhead compartments or underneath seats. Carry-on luggage pieces can spread viruses and other germs easier. If passengers choose to bring carry-ons, they may get less assistance from flight attendants for stowing the bags unless help is absolutely necessary. In addition to being safer, bringing fewer carry-ons will save time and help prevent flight delays.

Protective Screens

If you need to talk to a ticketing agent or another customer service representative at the airport, you can expect an acrylic protective screen to be at every desk. This screen adds a layer of protection between you and the service representative by blocking viruses and germs that are often transmitted through the air when a person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. Many eateries at airports have also installed these screens at their counters where employees take orders and give customers their food.

Health Screenings

Airport staff members have been taking passengers’ body temperatures to detect any fevers that may indicate an infection from COVID-19 or some other type of illness, and this security measure could remain in place beyond the coronavirus pandemic. A thermometer that takes a temperature reading for each person when it’s scanned across the forehead can provide a fast reading while minimizing person-to-person contact. Along with checking body temperatures, passengers who appear sick may also be asked not to board aircraft.

The Importance of Careful Preplanning

With all of the trip cancellations that have occurred because of the COVID-19 outbreak, people will be likelier to preplan their trips more carefully. Given all the changes with travel, you’ll likely ask yourself, “How can I plan my vacation without suffering a major financial loss if another pandemic occurs?” 

A trip itinerary service can help you plan for your next vacation and will usually give you a refund on their service fees within 30 days after purchase if you need to cancel. When planning future trips, it will also be best for you to purchase travel insurance that comes with trip cancellation reimbursements.

More Space Between Passengers

Whether you’re flying or traveling by train or bus, you can expect to have more space between you and other passengers. Travel vehicles won’t likely be filled to capacity as often so that people aren’t seated so closely together and run the risk of spreading illnesses to one another. 

There may also be fewer seats aboard so that each seat can be spaced out better to create more distance between passengers. Wider seats may be installed as well to give passengers additional room.

Like with other catastrophes and major events, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to result in how you travel for the foreseeable future. By knowing what to expect when traveling and getting yourself ready for all these changes, you’ll be able to travel to and from your destinations with greater ease and peace of mind.