What It’s Like To Travel Right Now In 2020

What’s it like to travel during a pandemic? Well, I decided to find out! At the end of July 2020, my husband and I traveled from Colorado to Antigua to celebrate my birthday and see what it’s like to travel right now in 2020. This was our first time traveling since February before the pandemic hit. Although quite a few policies and protocols have changed, traveling right now wasn’t as drastically different as I thought it would be. 

Here is an overview of what it’s like to travel right now (summer 2020). 

**Note- Policies are continually changing, so if you have questions about travel when you’re reading this, please reach out and I’ll be happy to share what I know.**

Domestic Air Travel

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At the start and end of our trip, we flew domestic flights, so we were able to see what it is like to travel right now domestically. From Colorado to Antigua, we flew on American Airlines with a 23-hour layover in Miami. From Antigua back to Colorado, we flew Delta Airlines with an overnight in Atlanta.

Parking

When flying, we normally park our car in long-term parking at the airport. A few days before our trip, I realized that most of Denver International Airport’s parking lots are shut down due to social distancing issues on shuttles from the parking lots to the airport. We ended up riding Lyft to the airport instead. All Lyft drivers and passengers are now required to wear masks and most Lyft drivers now have partitions between the front seat and the back seat to protect everyone.

Airports

The airports were not as busy as normal, but busier than I anticipated. We flew through Denver, Atlanta, and Miami, which are normally some of the busiest airports. There weren’t many lines at all. Most restaurants were not open. If they were, they spaced out the tables and chairs to make for social distancing. Throughout the airports, everyone was doing their best to social distance and wearing masks. 

Airlines

American Airlines currently does not have any seat restrictions. When we boarded our flights, there were three people to a row. Luckily, our flights were not full, so once everyone barded, we were able to spread out and it was just my husband and myself in a row. 

Delta Airlines is restricting all middle seats on all flights, which is only putting their flights at max 60% capacity. 

Both American Airlines and Delta Airlines are not doing food/beverage services in the main cabin. When you board American Airlines, they hand you a baggie with water, snacks, and hand sanitizer wipes. When you board Delta Airlines, they hand you hand sanitizer wipes, and then when in the air, they walk around with baggies with water and snacks inside. 

Biggest Changes to Domestic Air Travel Right Now

• Restrictions on parking at airports.
• Masks required in the airport and on planes.
• Scan your own ticket at TSA.
• Delta Airlines is restricting seating to no middle seats.
• American Airlines flights were not full, so we were able to spread out.

Biggest Challenge

It’s always difficult to get from Colorado to the Caribbean. During normal times, most flights leave Denver at 1am. With the pandemic and way fewer flights happening, our biggest challenge was finding decent flight itineraries that got us to Antigua and home. This is why we ended up with an overnight in Miami on the way to Antigua and an overnight in Atlanta on the way home. 

International Air Travel

Antigua was one of the first Caribbean islands to reopen for tourism after the pandemic shutdown. At first, they weren’t requiring negative COVID tests upon arrival, but now they are. 

Biggest Changes to International Air Travel Right Now

• Before boarding the plane, travelers must show a negative COVID test, passport, and Antigua entry form.
• No food/beverage service. You receive a baggie when boarding with water, snacks, and hand wipes. 

International Travel

Obviously, each country has its own new policies on reopening for tourism. Antigua was one of the first Caribbean islands to reopen after the pandemic shutdown and although they have made slight changes to policies along the way, the process has been going smoothly. It is wonderful to see these islands (safely) accepting tourism again to help the local economy. 

For Antigua, they are now requiring negative COVID tests taken within 7 days of arriving. Also, they are reopening resorts in phases and each resort must pass a certification process to reopen. Land and water-based excursions are reopening in a phased approach similar to the resorts. You can go on excursions with approved vendors that have passed appropriate inspection, training, and certification y the Ministry of Health and Tourism Officials. 

Biggest Changes to International Travel Right Now

• Must show a negative COVID test upon arrival.
• Fill out an additional entry form.
• Temperature checks upon arrival to airport and resorts.
• Masks required in all public places.

Overall Biggest Changes to Travel Right Now

There really isn’t much of a difference from what you are doing at home to stay safe than what you would do while traveling.

• Where a mask.
• Social distance.
• Sanitize.
• Wash hands.

Overall, we felt very safe traveling. Airports, airlines, customs, and resorts are going above and beyond to keep people safe and everything clean. I was very happy we were able to travel to Antigua for my birthday. It was great to celebrate a new milestone while supporting the locals during what has been an incredibly difficult year for a country that relies on tourism for income.  

What have been your experiences traveling right now in 2020?

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