TRAVEL IMPACT

In our March 10, 17 and April 29 issues of eFlyer USA, we discussed the initial impacts of COVID-19 on the travel industry and the impending outcome of the marketplace, airline industry responses to the pandemic and hotel chains rolling out new cleanliness standards due to the virus. We also covered cancellation policies and CDC regulations for airlines, hotels and cruise lines, March–June.

A few readers wrote in with thoughts and personal experiences:

The public health industry is currently not set up for a huge isolation of those infected or who traveled to the infected areas. What is worse is taking information too lightly and worrying more about the markets than the importance of stopping the outbreak.

Those who have to travel for work or family issues are going to do it and carry the virus without possibly even knowing it. This is a huge negative, and a global recession is likely. Investors are taking this seriously. As the market goes down, people will stop traveling and going to malls and restaurants. People are scared.

This has infected so many more than SARS, and there is not a real plan being shared with U.S. citizens on how to contain it.

MARY LEE RIELEY, VIA EMAIL

Thanks for sending the details on airlines and their practices during this pandemic.

Online, it’s reasonably easy to cancel an Alaska Airlines flight; however, I purchased ours as a companion fare. Online, Alaska issues a fare credit, either to the Alaska “wallet” or a paper voucher, but the customer loses the companion fare capability. I called Alaska, and the customer service rep rein- stated my companion fare as originally offered. A phone call can make a difference.

PAULA VOGEL, VIA EMAIL

My wife, grown daughter and I planned a 10-day Panama Canal cruise this past March but had to can- cel due to my right knee replacement in January and then COVID-19. We had booked port and starboard suites on Princess to maximize the views.

We’re thinking of rebooking for March 2021. This would be around my 80th birthday. I hope it works out.

MIKE GREEN, VIA EMAIL

The surprising thing about this situation is social isolation is easier in an airplane or airport than in a supermarket. For my work, I travel by air more than 2,000 miles every week, and the airports are completely empty and the planes are less than 25 percent full. Under no circumstance am I advocating travel at this time. Please be safe out there.

RAFAEL PÉREZ, VIA EMAIL

The best way to help the beleaguered cruise industry is to “get back on the horse” in support of it, which before the COVID-19 iceberg floated across the globe, had been described as “the golden age of cruising.” The ships will be cleaner than ever — like brand-new — and with maximum sanitary precautions well in place.

Travelers cannot discover new oceans unless they have the courage to lose sight of the shore. Sail on, sailor.

JIM FERGUSON, VIA EMAIL

You published several letters from readers regarding the ditching of single-use plastic toiletries and switching to bulk options (including Marriott, Hyatt and IHG). I have never been in favor as I like trying the various toiletries and bringing some home as souvenirs. I’ve always thought the environment was the excuse but that increasing profits was the motive. I wonder with COVID-19 whether this trend will continue or whether single-use toiletries will make a comeback. I’m not sure people will feel comfort- able using the new bulk containers, not knowing who or how they may have been used previously, or what viruses lurk for the next guest.

LYNN TEAGUE, VIA EMAIL

I just read your article about Delta’s commitment to measures to ensure the safety and health of both their employees and their passengers.

My husband and I flew from Mexico to Tampa (via Dallas) on American Airlines, and it was horrible. My husband, a travel writer and blogger, wrote about this nightmare on one of his sites.

We heard Delta was the best of the three main U.S. carriers and plan to fly with the airline for our return flight. What needs to happen is for all the airlines to be truthful and transparent:

• DON’T say you are flying at 60–75 percent capacity only to have passengers turn up for their flights and find that is not the case.

• DON’T pronounce masks are required to be worn by all passengers but then allow people to ignore the rule or wear masks incorrectly.

• DON’T announce at the airport you will board the plane back to front and then disregard that.

• DON’T make announcements that the plane should deboard in a controlled manner and then do nothing to make that happen.

• DON’T send out emails to loyalty customers and press releases saying you have your crews’ and passengers’ safety, health and well- being in mind when that is clearly not the case. Airlines should be truthful so people can truly make an informed decision as to whether or not to risk flying at the moment.

DONNA LEFFEL, VIA EMAIL

AIRLINE RESTRICTIONS

KICK UP DUST

In our June 17 issue of eFlyer USA, we covered the new airline restrictions, including banning alcohol on flights and stricter mask enforcements. A reader wrote in with thoughts:

I do not agree with airlines’ new restrictions. Air travel is horrible enough. The only thing they really should do is clean their planes before each flight. Planes have traditionally not been as clean as cruise ships. I can’t count the number of times I got in my seat and touched a sticky seatbelt or armrest. It’s about time they cleaned up their act.

While not reducing prices, they are reducing services and requiring masks. It is essential to hydrate while in an airplane. It’s bad enough TSA restricts bringing water into the airport so you must buy it at a high cost. Now, wearing a mask for the duration of the airline experience, passengers may suffer from a lack of oxygen and dehydration.

My own experience with wearing a mask, and I’ve tried quite a few, is my face breaks out in a rash and I get migraine headaches if I keep it on longer than 10 minutes. I anticipate it will be sheer torture when I fly in September from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., and on to Madrid and Barcelona. When I finally board a cruise ship in Barcelona, I hope I will have peace in know- ing I’m in a clean, sterile environment on a ship and I can discard the mask in the trash where it belongs.

I expect to see health lawsuits as a result of dehydration and lack of oxygen from these new restrictions. Some people will not fly unless it’s a necessity, thereby making this industry’s recovery less likely. I won’t fly unless [it’s] absolutely necessary. I have not visited family this year, and I don’t intend to under these restrictions.

TERRI M. CALABRESE

Q&A WITH ANGELIQUE PLATAS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Well, this year has brought a whole lot of lemons so far. While we’ve been forced to adapt to the reality of COVID-19, cancel travel plans, reschedule life events and make the most of uncertain times — my only question:

What’s next? Are you shifting gears and hitting the road or braving the airline changes? If so, where to?

Email us: letters@globaltravelerusa.com