Covid and Flying as a family- votes please

[AuntieMeemz]

For: Airlines say its safe, people will be wearing masks, we have FFPP3 masks ( will probably get it sooner or later anyway though)
Against- can we beleive airlines when they say the air is safe? I'm blood group A,and aged nearly 60,(apparently higher risk of having Covid severely factors).travelling with 2 teenagers. If we don'tgo now, we will have to have a holiday next year in a place and a time that we really don't want. This will be our last holiday for some time, as like many, my husband has lost his job and at nearly 60, is notoptimistic about getting another one!
I have to say, we flew during Feb when I think the infection rate was probably much higher than anyone realised, and we were fine.

We have lived in Australia for 11 years, so commenting based on what has happened in Australia.

Australia’s infection rate is tens of thousands less than the UK - 8001 cases and 104 deaths (so just over 1% death rate). The UK has over 313,000 cases, with over 43,000 deaths (a 14% death rate).

Australia went into lockdown early and closed all borders, even between states. Australia has banned overseas travel - to try to stem a second wave. The UK, although it went into lockdown, didn’t close it’s borders and is now happy for people to travel to 75 countries that still have Coronavirus. As sad as I am that I’ve missed two holidays due to COVID-19, I am so grateful to be living in Australia where I can’t travel overseas until the risk is much lower. Opening up travel now is asking for more cases and more deaths.

I say don’t do it.

No way would I fly currently if I were in any risk group as you are
Young (under 50) and healthy I would take the risk . Wouldn’t if I were you. Sorry !

Ofc you will get it if anyone has it on the flight - you’re in a sealed metal tube for 3 plus hours in close proximity with 300 people from all over the world !

We cancelled holidays in July and Oct this year. How can you enjoy a holiday wearing a mask and wondering if you'll catch something that has killed thousands, that's not a holiday. Plus as pp has pointed out, this new level of travel is going to cause a second wave, how can it not?

Go on ferry euro tunnel to somewhere in Europe. No need to fly to have a holiday abroad

I wouldn’t be flying

Don't risk it.

I would not fly. We have a home in Spain and spend the holidays there but won't be flying this year. Its really not worth the risk plus you can be bringing the virus back to your home country and infecting people.

depends why you are flying. I am going with kids as I need to get to me elderly parents whom I haven't seen for 8 months and I don't have anyone to look after my DC whilst I travel so we go together.

I probably would not go for a beach holiday style trip.

I can't see how flying in recycled air is possibly safe. If someone on your flight has it, you will get it.

It's just a case of deciding whether you're willing to take that risk.

@ScotsinOz your calculations are wildly wrong!

We have holidays booked in Oct and Dec. Not planning on cancelling as we won’t get our money back so no point cancelling. We will make a decision based in n how things are both here and where we are going just before we are due to fly. If you have the option to push back I would consider it, if not I’d make a risk based decision at the last minute.

I wouldnt fly. Far too risky with people in close proximity coughing and touching everything.

You wont die if you dont have a holiday abroad this year.

I wouldn't fly anywhere at the moment until it was essential (e.g. family medical emergency overseas). but not just for a holiday. The risks to you & to everyone else are not worth it.

I'd fly but I'm under 30.

OP are you losing any money if you don’t go? I wouldn’t. We fly abroad once a year to see our families but we are not flying till a working vaccine is in place. Makes me sad as we have ageing parents, but better safe than sorry. So a normal holiday is def a no-no for me x

I really don't understand such desperation for holidays abroad that anyone would get on a plane at the moment and risk catching such a nasty virus, especially given your age OP.

No I wouldn't be flying at the moment unless there was a very good reason for it.

A holiday wouldn't be a good enough reason for me.

@AriettyHomily my math is correct, as are the case numbers.

Will the stuff you want to do at your destination be open and available?

I'd fly in birdwatching's situation, but not for a holiday.
Have you been fitted for the FFP3 masks? Or just bought something? Because if they arent fitted, they wont offer the protection you are thinking they will. How long have you ever worn a fitted mask for? Practice uf you are contemplating it for checkin/plane/security otgervend. You are looking at 4hr+ wear time.

I would absolutely not fly right now. The real risk, to my mind, is getting ill abroad. Two years ago, my friend's partner became very unwell with a non-COVID illness while they were abroad, and it was an absolute nightmare dealing with it - you have to make impossible decisions about how you balance work, other family commitments, accommodation, costs etc.

Go on holiday in the UK. Keep the extra cash you don't spend and save it up for when this is all over.

@AriettyHomily my math is correct as are the figures.

Where are you thinking of going OP?

I'm not sure I'd want to fly this year really.

When were you planning to go ?
Why would you have to go to a destination you don't want to if you travel next year?

I'd be reluctant to book a holiday this year, not particularly because of the risk of catching covid-19, but because I'd be worried about cancellation, being trapped there and having to make your own way home, destination not being as open as normal and basically losing money.

I wouldn't fancy flying abroad this year for same reasons as rookie plus having to be herded like cattle and stand in even longer queues than usual at the airport.

Before you decide, OP, please check that your travel insurance will cover you if you get hospitalised with Covid. Ours excludes pandemics.