Travelling abroad by plane, what would you have done?

I flew to Belfast to see my daughter last week and hardly anyone at either airport was masked up. I was wearing my £2 FFP2 mask that was mandatory on the Easyjet site a month ago - then on 27 March they said not necessary! I decided to wear it, a horrible thick polystyrene type material.

I think we have to accept the inevitable and if we get it, we get it, and hopefully survive.

I have a lung condition and also allergy to cats. So I do cough a lot and if someone who has a cat sits next to me I will sneeze a lot.
Having said that I would have explained to the person next to me, and taken my inhaler and allergy pills, which usually solves it in half an hour or so

I would not have been any more concerned than I would about catching his 'cold', we have to move past this paralysing fear.

I flew last week for a short break to Italy, will be flying in May and again in July, and cruising in August. I do not intend to put my life on hold any more than has already been enforced. I am double jabbed and boosted but still caught Covid a few weeks ago, well before I travelled (from the local shop I suspect). I was very mildly unwell for a few days.

I am not 'vulnerable' so I accept the risk, I also appreciate that others see things differently which is their prerogative.

Thee are so many things going around at the minute that have symptoms like Covid. My doc made me do a Covid test even though she knew it was my sinusitis flaring badly again and my hayfever will be the next one arriving.
You did all you could to look after yourself on the flight, don't let it put you off any more trips. Glad you got a negative result.

I agree with several other posters

I wouldn`t and don`t travel abroad,, then I guess I am fortunate, I have no need to.

and even the roads here, at Bank Holidays, I am so lucky, I love my home and stay at home

The problem would already be resolved for me in that I'm not yet ready to travel by plane anywhere for a holiday, much as I want to.
I've already had Covid in December/January so I'm not so concerned about the illness itself as the fear that the rules of other countries may put me in isolation and ruin my holiday plans and return home.

I would (and did) wear FFP3 masks when flying. If they can prevent medical staff from catching covid, they clearly do offer a good amount of protection.

Not the same situation, but a year ago, I worked for a day, 121 with three students (for over an hour each time), sitting directly next to them, with my mask on. The following day, they all tested positive for covid. I didn't catch it. Good old FFP3 masks!

I had Covid about 6 weeks ago and went skiing at the beginning of this month (I only tested positive for four days) I have to test twice a week as I volunteer at a local hospital - there were no masks on the plane - thank goodness!!! Since getting back I have had a horrible cold which we just like Covid but I tested every day and it was negative. Over now but not every sneeze and snuffle is Covid. We have to get used to it - and if people feel happier and safer wearing masks or avoiding travel that is up to them.

Due to take our first flight in 3 years in October. I've booked aisle seats for us both. Will be wearing FFP2 masks as well.

That must have been a very unpleasant flight, COVID or not. I wish I could fly abroad but having made a decision not to have a booster, and having had my 2nd vaccine over a year ago, it’s unlikely I’d be allowed to most holiday destinations. To those that can, go and enjoy!

Think that's the decision we all face if we decide to fly just now.. Not like public transport...My friends daughter flew back from NY feeling ill...No testing as she had her triple jags.. Yes she did have covid when she arrived home...I imagine this goes on a lot as people don't want to isolate in a hotel room abroad....

I haven't been on a plane for nearly 5 years. Both of us hate flying, what with the environmental damage, and now Covid, I doubt we will ever fly again. I would have had a full-on panic attack if that had been me. (I wouldn't even have been able to sit in the middle seat anyway!)

I have flown several times between lockdowns and as soon as I could in between .....last time a few weeks back I came back from Lanzarote and the plane was full ....sadly I was the one who felt ill !!! was fine the whole 10 days I was there, but on the plane I started to shiver and feel freezing cold ....then had a fever and sneezing ...felt so bad by the time we landed I must have looked so awful I was asked if I needed assistance !!!! I did warn the two people sat next to me and moved to the aisle seat ....but they were very nice and just kept their masks on (not obliged to, on the Jet2 flight I was on)......but since I came home it was diagnosed as a chest infection (which, to be honest all the years of flying I have done, is usual for me ....I bame the air on the plane ....and this time the cool air was going full blast (COVID requirement I think !) so I had a course of antibiotics , a PCR and an LFT and was negative for COVID ......apparently there is a 'worst cold ever' going round ...ha ha maybe it was that ! Did exchange e mails with my fellow travellers in my row ....they are both fine which is good !

I'm asthmatic so I'm always wheezing and coughing (even just walking around the house today), so on the rare occasions I go out I always wear a mask. I get dirty looks and comments sometimes but I don't care. At least I am not coughing over other people as I see non mask wearers do.

Saggi just think how many Ukrainian refugees could be temporarily accommodated on those beautiful cruise ships if only the government would pull its finger out and get them airlifted to safety.

My husband tested positive on Tuesday and I tested positive yesterday and we haven't been anywhere except the supermarket! Last year we had a lovely holiday in Greece and two theatre trips and we didn't catch covid. This is the first time for us. We have booked another holiday in Greece in September.

My thoughts are you choose to leave home and you have chosen to take the risk. I took the risk to go on holiday to Devon. 2nd week, I had a stomach bug and was very unwell. Now I am just getting over my first cold in years. - not covid, I have done the test. I am barking a lot as near the end of said cold. If I was sat near people I would chat and say it is a cold. Test taken. Just to put people at ease.

@ foxie48 I would have done exactly what you did. The man may have had an allergy, who knows?

I'd have done the same. We're due to travel across the pond in May and, although fully vaccinated and boosted both hubby and I will be testing every day 20 days before we travel. We have an observed test booked for the day before travel (required by CDC in US) and I'll be fretting until that day. We're due to attend a birthday party 10 days before travelling, a small gathering but we'll be keeping our distance with no hugging, handshaking etc - fist or elbow bump. Once in US I'll have LFT tests on hand in order to test if required as we're travelling through different states.

Oopsadaisy1

MrOops has bad Hay fever at the moment and is coughing and spluttering most of the day, it’s difficult because we know it isn’t Covid (we both had it a few weeks ago) but must be disconcerting for others.

We aren’t flying anywhere this Summer, maybe in the Autumn we will wait and see.

Beware Mrs Oopsadaisy1: My sister and her husband have both had Covid twice on the trot this year despite being health professionals and Covid free in the preceding 2 years+. My sister was very ill the second time.....

I'm not confident enough to fly at the moment due to Covid and I guess when I am I will just have to accept the increased risk of being confined in a crowded area. In your case though I think I would have asked if he had tested recently and stated that you were concerned it may be covid. Not in horrid way.. Lets hope as time goes on that you and others on the flight including him are Covid free.

I would have been a bit concerned at someone with those symptoms sitting next to me. However, a week ago I spent 18 hours sitting on planes, and 11 hours hanging about in airports in order to visit my 3 children and 2 grandchildren in Australia.
I could have waited longer, but I'm 82. I had never met my almost 2 year old GS, and my GD was only 2 when I last saw her. I thought long and hard about travelling by plane, and decided that I would take the risk. Who knows how much longer I would be fit enough to travel?
I've had 4 jabs, and had to take a test on the day of travel, and another the day after arrival, so considered that it was a pretty safe option. Being able to hug all my family members made it worthwhile.

I should add that masks were compulsory on both flights, except when eating. Not much fun for such a long period, but I survived.

We have flown to Greece, Spain and South Africa over the last 12 months. I have also caught the bus to Derby. On each occasion I wore a mask throughout. Guess on which journey I picked up Covid!!??? Yes, on the bus! I’m afraid it’s a fact of life and I intend to live mine.?

I am someone who has always caught something on the plane journey, either on the way out or coming home.... and this was long before Covid.

I probably won't fly again as I find airports extremely stressful, I hate flying itself and I'm lucky enough to live in the UK where we have such wonderful places to visit.

I am with NotSpaghetti, no longer do short haul, because of climate impact. But it's done and you seem to have done the best you could. Many parts of Europe are now easily reachable by train - journey time longer than a flight, but by the time you factor in arriving at least two hours beforeflight/airports miles out of town/delays/expectorating passengers, generally a much more pleasant experience.