Covid 19 and flying

It seems from talking to people there is a large amount of fear about catching Covid while flying. The reality is there has been almost no transmission onboard flights. The continuous air exchange and Hepa filters make it a better environment for safety than almost any indoor space even accounting for the number of people onboard. The press however wants to keep inflaming the issue. Here is a sample.

The headline: At least 50 cases of coronavirus linked to surgeon flying from New York City to LA

The truth however is the cases all occurred in the dementia treatment facility he was flying out to for treatment. No one on the flight was infected.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-50-cases-coronavirus-linked-215850608.html

George--I think that more people are more worried about catching it from surfaces, or direct contact with a person next to them who is coughing, etc.., than from the air system.

I have no fear of flying - I'll use an N95 mask and carrying along wipes I am confident that I won't get it on the plane - more concerned with the limo trip to the airport.

I do understand those concerns. The reality is it’s just not happening. The rapid air exchange helps prevent person to person transmission. Aircraft surfaces are being cleaned before every flight and it’s starting to appear surface transmission is minimal.

Yes I agree with George, I am not worried about the plane, the terminal gives me pause (lots of people indoors, less air turnover) but like he said, the numbers dont point to a problem

I flew in May with an N95 mask and alcohol wipes. No problem, except the flight back to St. Thomas was full. We are doing a STT-DCA trip this month and I expect the same.

Cheers, RickG

Whoever wrote that headline should be ashamed -- there's an outrageous disconnect between the headline and the actual content of the article.

George, can you point to any studies or references regarding the rate of transmission on flights?

Dan

I don’t know that there have been studies. I do know that when trying to track where airline crews have contacted covid it appears the vast majority got it on layovers. There was also a big cluster from crash pads in Queens NY. I also know a pilot who flew several days with a pilot who started to feel ill the last day if the trip. He tested positive for covid but the other pilot did not catch it.
G

I also see the most risk in terminal areas. Lines for security and customs/immigration are the things that increase my heart rate right now. My other concern is people who refuse to wear a mask. In my part of the world, very few people are wearing masks. I'm not sure what (if any) enforcement power the airlines have on this. They can deny boarding if you aren't wearing a mask, but I don't think they can do much if someone refuses to wear a mask in the gate area or once the wheels come up. Right now, we aren't scheduled to fly again until December. By then, we should be able to figure out exactly how to protect ourselves and our fellow passengers.

United just announced if you refuse to wear a mask on board, you will be put on their "no-fly" list. No word on how long that no-fly would last.

Many airlines are not serving alcohol until further notice. There goes the last thing that most of us look forward to avoid suffering a long flight!
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/alcohol-ban-airlines-covid-19/index.html

GLAD they are taking a stand to protect others... Mask must cover mouth AND nose

Tell that to most servers in restaurants!

They are only cutting the drugs off on domestic flights. You can still get high on the international flights!
G

American is still serving in domestic First!

I just flew from Norfolk to St. Pete, FL. Plane came into the terminal (before my departure), passengers disembarked and 10 minutes later they were having us board. I don't believe they had time to disinfect the plane. Return trip was bright and early Sunday morning. This time I felt the plane had been cleaned overnight, all seatbelt were set on the seats neatly and all the same which led me to believe we were the first flight on that plane for the morning. I will still fly, but I truly question the disinfecting between flights.

St Pete or TIA? St Pete airport is a small airport, and the last I knew, there were only a couple of small airlines that service it. I doubt they are disinfecting to the level of some of the others..

It was St. Pete/Clearwater airport. But, my originating flight was out of Norfolk, VA. That is the flight they loaded 10 minutes after the previous flight disembarked. Norfolk is a good size airport with plenty of flights still flying.

Oh, ok. But the airline was Allegiant?

I am planning to travel to STT from ATL next week. I will wear a N95 and a face shield. Also wipes and hand disinfecting gel. Basically the same precautions I would use at the hospital when entering a known Covid19 room. (Minus isolation gown).

I am not at all worried about airplane air quality. I am worried about potential for fellow passenger being carrier/ infected, and thus the mask and face shield.

Once on Sea Tiger, I will be great!

In Connecticut it's the law that restaurant servers must wear masks and gloves. Tables both indoors and outdoors are six feet apart. Diners must wear masks except when eating and drinking. Indoor dining is limited to 50% occupancy. And yesterday the governor decided not to move to Stage 3, which would open bars and increase indoor dining to 75% occupancy, having seen the surge in cases in southern and western states. Our hospitalizations were down to 69, after a peak of 1800 two months ago. That being said, we're eating takeout for the foreseeable future.

Yes, the airline was Allegiant.