7 ways to avoid flying on a crowded plane during a pandemic

In an age of social distancing, it is very important to make sure that you choose a flight that takes you to your destination, not only comfortably, but also safely. Reader's Digest... Here are some secrets on how to avoid a crowded plane during your trip.

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At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a 96% drop in passenger checks. If you had to fly then you would have almost the entire plane at your disposal. In the midst of restrictions due to coronavirus in the spring, airlines in good faith blocked middle seats and lowered capacity on all flights.

But as summer came on, people started returning to airports: 32% of American consumers said they "definitely" plan to fly again before the end of 2020, and according to the Value Penguin, 40% of them will do so in the summer. A new survey by Allianz Travel found that the majority of surveyed customers (59%) plan domestic travel, while 54% want to fly abroad. Combine this increase in passenger numbers with the reduction in routes and aircraft in the sky, and then add the fact that some airlines have loosened their capacity restrictions. That is, you can easily find yourself in a jam-packed plane.

How to avoid this? In the midst of a pandemic, the safest option is not to fly at all. However, if you do go to the airport, make sure you fly with the maximum safe distance between passengers. Wear a mask, stay alert and flexible, and follow these tips to avoid crowded flights.

Choose the best airline

Not all airlines are created equal when it comes to seat selection. Some, including Delta, JetBlue, Alaska and Southwest, are still limiting the number of people on each flight, while others - United and American - are selling every available seat. If you have options, choose airlines that are still blocking middle seats and limiting passenger capacity, allowing you to easily manage social distancing.

On the subject: How to protect yourself from COVID-19 when traveling: tips from a businessman who has made 33 business trips

Study the landing pattern

Once you choose your airline, take a close look at the seat chart. It's best to choose a location with as much space around it as possible, ideally with open space next to it. If you can't see a seat map for your itinerary, check Seat Guru, which provides maps and reviews of all the seats available on flights. If you don't have an ideal seat, create an account on Expert Flyer, which will notify you if your desired window or aisle seat becomes available.

Pay for extra seat

If you've saved up points or had an extra travel budget, now is the time to use it to improve your position on the plane. If you can pay for Business Class, where there is always seat spacing, do so, but even Premium Economy Class closer to the front of the plane will have more room than those seated further away. For now, you should avoid the basic economy class options, in which you are assigned a random seat.

Use technology

You can find out all the latest regulations your airline has to offer using FlySafe. And Pilota's free browser extension shows travelers what precautions are taken on every flight. By downloading it, you can see detailed ratings from passengers, as well as mask requirements, seat locking and capacity restrictions, see if surgical grade HEPA filters are used in flight, and if personal protective equipment is provided. You can also collect information about cabin handling, flexible rules for flight changes and cancellations.

Travel mid-week

If you can choose, you will be more likely to find less congested flights. Flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday tend to be less busy (and cheaper!) Than flights on Mondays and Fridays, says Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at Scott Airlines.

Fly outside rush hour

The most popular times to fly are early morning and early evening. Case says flights will be at their busiest during this time. When choosing flights, look for off-peak times (usually these are also the cheapest flights). Mid-day flights tend to be less crowded than morning or evening flights. You can try flying in the middle of the night - not only are they less crowded, but passengers are often asleep, which means there will be fewer people walking in the aisles or talking to each other.

On the subject: Flights after quarantine: many people who do not have COVID-19 will not be allowed on the plane

Use alternative airports

Finding less popular routes will reduce the number of contacts. When searching for routes on a booking site such as Expedia, or on an airline's website, select “Nearby airports”. Often in major cities like New York or Los Angeles, you have several options nearby. Choosing a small airport like Westchester over JFK in New York or Orange County over LAX in California will automatically result in fewer people at the airport and on your flight.

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