Fifteen months, a few untimely deaths in the family, and four COVID variants later, I am ambivalent about post-pandemic air travel. I have a new fear of flying. I try to tell myself that it is business as usual, but I know it’s not. 

Pandemic-related restrictions have been relaxed, again. Mask-less life should be just around the corner!

I have been here before. Mid-last year, the local authorities had prematurely signalled that the pandemic was under control. Our travel plans had ended in cancelled flights, travel credits, and refunds.

When we booked our flights from Toronto to San Francisco, there was no guarantee that borders would open up.

 The airline’s email made it real!

“Ready to confirm your upcoming flight?” the subject line read. As I scanned through the email, the bold text caught my eye: We understand that now more than ever, plans can change, so please take a moment to let us know if you’re still planning to travel with us.

The airline was really asking me if I was brave enough to jump on a plane again. Or was I going to chicken out at the last minute?

I don’t blame them. These days, fear of flying has less to do with aerophobia or Erica Jung. It’s more about confined spaces and the spread of the COVID19 virus.

Despite the optimism, it’s no time for bravado. Exercising caution over convenience feels like the right thing to do. My post-pandemic air travel plans have me worried.

I try to take stock of the past year’s positive developments.

Unlike a year ago, there are proven vaccines now that can fight the COVID virus. Most folks I know and interact with are fully vaccinated. There are testing centres, guidelines, and protocols to minimize the further spread of the virus.

I look at the flipside, albeit reluctantly.

A large percentage of the global population remains unvaccinated. Disinformation and politicization of vaccines have not helped. While developing countries desperately try to acquire vaccines, large groups of people in countries with surplus supplies have chosen not to get the jab.

Pesky variants have the medical community perplexed. Just when Governments feel that they have a grip on things, another variant crops up. Where it originates — China, India, Brazil, or South Africa — is irrelevant.

We are all vulnerable. The global economy assures that.

But, the journey to normalcy has to start somewhere. I am ready, I think.

Specific to my travel to the US, there are guidelines to be followed and personal choices to be made. Every decision feels like a coin toss.

I review my post-pandemic air travel to-do list.

Prove that I don’t have COVID

CDC’s mandate that all passengers travelling to the US need proof of a negative COVID-19 gives me some security. It is a good starting point. A quick online search shows that a few pharmacies around my area offer thirty-minute results on CDC-approved rapid viral antigen tests. No appointments are required for the tests. That is a relief.

Attest that I am telling the truth

The CDC’s second requirement, an attestation from every passenger confirming that they have received a negative pre-departure test, appeared straightforward. All I had to do was download the form, fill it out and upload it when checking in to my flight.

Pay for seat selection

Skip the check-in line

The airline’s website, online directions, and FAQs appeared more user-friendly than I could remember. Modified online check-in steps and passenger verification processes are now designed to minimize physical human contact at the airport. I am good with that.

Stay masked for five hours

I am not looking forward to five hours of masked travel. It’s the law, not an option. I like the fact that my fellow passengers would also be wearing masks while boarding and travelling on the plane.

I take further comfort in statistics published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA.) The risk of air-borne infections on airplanes is probably lower than in many other confined spaces, thanks to High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that maintain the air quality in the cabin. You learn something new every day!

Skip the food (and the beer)

A typical five-hour flight for me would involve a beer and a snack. However, eating and drinking on the plane would require me to remove my mask. Not ideal. Unless absolutely necessary, keeping the mask on seems to be the prudent thing to do.

Note to self to grab a bite to eat before boarding the plane.

Avoid the washrooms

I am unaware of evidence showing that the chances of contracting COVID19 in an airplane washroom are higher than in other public restrooms in airports and malls. However, avoiding it, if possible, was the preferred option.

I can always pack a few disposable gloves, just in case.

As I clicked the “Confirm Your Flight” button, I told myself, “This time around, it’s about the destination, not the journey.”