But how is the journey different in a COVID world?
Before travel
- Do not travel to airport if you have symptoms of coronavirus
- Check your company’s travel policy for revisions and make sure you’re adhering to health and safety protocols put in place by your employer
- Research your destination for entry requirements, for example if you need a test beforehand or if you need to complete a passenger locator form
- Check your passport is valid, if you need a visa or other documents and insurance
- Check the rules when it comes to transiting through a country
- Take masks, sanitizer (you’re allowed up to up to 12oz in UK security) gloves and any other PPE you feel you’ll need
- Digitise where possible. Use online check-in and download your boarding pass, use the self-service bag drop and pay using contactless methods
- Eat or take food with you as services at airports and on board may be limited
- Reduce time spent at the airport. Allowing 2 hours for European flights and 3 for long-haul should be sufficient
- Be prepared to show where you’re staying on arrival and why you’re travelling
- Pre-book transport from the airport to your destination
At the airport
- Only travellers will be allowed in the airport, expect for mobility assistance
- Wear a mask at all times
- Social distance
- Try to limit areas you visit or things you touch e.g. moving seats in departure lounge, visiting toilets or shops multiple times
- Sanitise after touching surfaces e.g self-check-in screens, security trays
- Get to your gate early and allow time for boarding to take longer due to social distancing
- Duty free will likely be limited or closed and services such as restaurants and lounges may be limited
On board
- Reduce moving around the cabin
- Some airlines might require you to change facemask every 4 hours on long haul flights
- Food and drink may be limited to pre-packaged options only
- Be prepared to fill out a paper traveller locator form
- Stay seated until your row is called to disembark, practice social distancing when disembarking
On arrival
- Be prepared to download local track and trace apps
- Meet people outside the airport to limit people in the airport
- If you are catching a connecting flight, stay airside and go straight through Flight Connections
During your trip
- If you develop symptoms, check what the local quarantine rules are
- Avoid public transport where possible
- As more people take taxis or drive, prepare for traffic and allow extra time for your journeys
- Pre-book trains seats and travel off-peak where possible
- Open windows in taxis, trains or rooms to maximise ventilation
- Wear a mask when around other people and observe social distancing
- Avoid busy public areas or peak times around your destination where possible
- Check local lockdown rules to see what shops, restaurants, attractions, public transport and other services are operating and regulations for their use
At the hotel
- See if your hotel offers no-contact check in
- Hotel facilities like spas, fitness and meeting rooms may be closed or have limited availability and require pre-booking
- Hotel restaurants and bars may be closed, so be prepared to order room service
- Wear a mask when in public areas and sanitise hands after touching shared surfaces e.g. lift buttons
- Hotels should have COVID-secure cleaning in place, but you may want to bring wipes to sanitise surfaces, door handles, TV remote, phone etc
- Clean your luggage and wipe down your ID, passport, phone etc
Returning home
- Complete a passenger arrival form 48 hours before, even if your destination is on the travel corridors list and/or you are an exempt business traveller
- Observe the same safety measuring when travelling to and around the airport and on board
- Check the UK’s current entry requirements. Do this no earlier than 24 hours before you return to make sure you get the most up to date information
- Clean your luggage and wash all clothing, wipe down ID, passport, phone when you get home
Don’t forget your Travel Counsellor is able to advise you before you travel and remains available through the duration of your trip.
Our 24/7 Duty Office constantly monitor worldwide changes to travel, so should your trip be affected, your Travel Counsellor will be prepared to react quickly and appropriately
