Has anyone been on a plane very recently

[BessieSurtees]

I am due to fly on a holiday which was booked last year and I’ve asked people I know about 5 different flights in the last 2 weeks and they all say drinking alcohol is rife and many people are not wearing masks.

I thought compliance would be high and it bothers me that it appears not, could anyone give me their experience of flights and airports? Thanks

Handful of short haul flights, between UK and a couple of European cities with a legacy carrier.

Airports OK, very high compliance with regard to mask wearing both at the airports and on board the aircraft...probably due to the very minimalistic cabin service.

OTOH I'm hearing from others it can be a bit different if the cabin crew allow people to spend a couple of hours sipping a single can of coke or a beer.....

Yes, I’ve flown quite a lot recently. Flights have been rammed, but everyone wore masks. Cabin crew told passengers to put them back on when they had finished eating or drinking. I thought it was a bit mad, in the queue to board the flight, there were markers and signs everywhere telling people to keep their distance, and then on the flight you’re sitting right next to someone you don’t know.

Thank you for your replies, has this made you feel unsafe flying?

This is similar to what I’ve been told. Flights rammed, two people said they witnessed groups of people not wearing masks in the airport unless specifically told and then taking them off when out of sight.

On the plane seemed to be the worst, people drinking the whole flight so no mask wearing, being repeatedly told to put them on, the pilot stating they would be reported to the police on landing, but once the cabin crew are sat down masks are off.

I flew just over a week ago on a Lufthansa flight to/from Munich. 100% mask wearing.

As indeed happened on public transport and in shops, including staff.

Though the majority of people on the flight seemed to be business travellers or if not, German.

I expect where there are issues it is low cost airlines, and to holiday resorts, if the instances I have read about are typical.

Yes. On the outbound flight easyjet had one food and drink service, so people took masks off to eat and drink then back on. On the Ryanair flight home they didn't serve anything except water and energy drinks and I saw them question a passenger with an exemption letter and take the letter away to check.

If your anxious about coronavirus I would suggest holidays aren't for you at the moment, you don't sound like you'd be able to relax?

Flew Ryan air end August. Plane pretty much empty out and back.
No alcohol on offer. Only allowed out of seat for toilet.
Everyone following rules

Just got back from Antigua yesterday. Gatwick was excellent re: Covid.

The flights were wonderful, everyone wore masks, not a drunk in sight.

I do think it depends where you are flying to, which airline and where you are sitting on the plane though.

We flew BA in Business Class and I would go again tomorrow if I could!

Recently flew short-haul with BA. Wearing masks was rigidly enforced at LCY & on-board. Only service was a bottle of water & crisps/biscuits - but we took our own food anyway.
Boarding & leaving were by row numbers - I really hope the airlines continue with this !!!

JFK - Heathrow in early August - only about 15 passengers on BA flight. Everyone seemed to be wearing masks, could be removed while eating/drinking. Only out of seats to use bathroom. Basic food service handed out in cardboard boxes. Return flight at the end of August - 35 people on the flight. Similar experience and all very calm.

Heathrow terminal 5 departures felt very busy though in comparison with arrivals.

@Faraway20 You mention food on an Easyjet flight, can you tell me what was served please? We've got a 06.00, 4-hour flight soon, & wondered whether we should take our own food.

@Georgyporky it was limited snacks, no in flight menu so you they told you what was left when they got to you - I had a cheese and cracker box and I think dp got some chocolate. I'd take a meal deal on with you!

@Faraway20 I think you are right I am anxious about the flight and whether I will be unable to relax. And as @nosswith said it’s probably low cost airlines that are worse, other posters experience seems to confirm this. It’s jet2.

I’m thinking if I’m prepared I will fare better, rather than believing everyone will be following the rules.

Yes you can take own good on Easyjet at the moment. I've known a few people fly between Gatwick and Cyprus recently and I'd advise taking own food. Gatwick catering establishments limited and Easyjet catering is limited.

@Faraway20 & @mrsnec Thank you.

Same with BA they are telling you to bring your own food too.

You do get food on drink onboard but if you are fussy or eat a lot, certainly come prepared as the onboard food sales are kaput!

Short haul European flight three weeks ago, one leg was with Ryanair. Everyone was wearing a mask and neither flight was full so there was plenty of space around me. Felt safer than going to a supermarket.

Fly with Easyjet this month. Everyone wore masks and the pilot made a couple of announcements to remind people. Felt safe and everyone followed guidelines. They served snacks and drinks. Wish I'd taken food as not much available for DD. Definitely bring food if you can.

Swiss Air - flight out full, before the quarantine was announced, back had lots of empty spaces, after quarantine brought in. No food. One free drink per person, one free chocolate, no food for sale iirc. Masks on except when consuming. No one drunk. No other problems.

Not many places to eat or drink open at Heathrow.

I have. I was the only one on the plane with no mask (I'm exempt), no idea if drinking alcohol was ripe on the plane as I mind my own business and don't stick my nose into other people's drinks to see what they're drinking...

@Faraway20

Yes. On the outbound flight easyjet had one food and drink service, so people took masks off to eat and drink then back on. On the Ryanair flight home they didn't serve anything except water and energy drinks and I saw them question a passenger with an exemption letter and take the letter away to check.

If your anxious about coronavirus I would suggest holidays aren't for you at the moment, you don't sound like you'd be able to relax?

What exemption letter? There is no such thing in the UK as doctors are not allowed to give them, it's against the law.

@Eastereggfan

Fly with Easyjet this month. Everyone wore masks and the pilot made a couple of announcements to remind people. Felt safe and everyone followed guidelines. They served snacks and drinks. Wish I'd taken food as not much available for DD. Definitely bring food if you can.

^ Exactly this. It was all fine but food and drink had very restricted choice. I felt safe and we have completed our quarantine with no problems

Last week Gatwick to Milan and back, very busy flight as reduced timetable (both my original flights were cancelled/moved). 100% compliance on mask wearing. Hardly anyone ate or drank beyond a couple of sips of water - but it is only a 90 minute flight so that helps.

Ryanair here too. Great compliance, no ancohol. Safer than your average supermarket. Then again it may depend on destination too.

I have flown with BA twice from LHR in the last month to Europe & one flight with easyJet in UK

BA are not serving any alcohol on board short haul
Mask wearing on the BA flights good compliance and certainly in LHR

easyJet were serving alcohol but just took mask off to sip then back on

I much prefer the disembarking during this time where they only let 5 rows get up at a time

Jet2 were serving alcohol and food. I didn't see anybody not wearing a mask if they weren't eating or drinking.

Very strict with no queuing for the loo.