Travelling abroad by plane, what would you have done?

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!)

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....

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 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

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 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.

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 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.

We have one of the most beautiful countries in the world ….. I don’t fly to holidays, it’s so detrimental to the planet! I stay in britain and enjoy our wonderful land. And as for cruisers….80,000 gallons of fuel PER DAY.
should turn all cruise ships into something useful!

Kate1949

I would have been in a total panuc. Mind you, I wouldn't go anywhere near an airport or flight at the moment unless it was urgent. I don't really understand why people are flying.

I agree, there's no way I would fly anywhere at tge moment. I know quite a few people who have developed covid after a flight.

Grannyactivist well done to you and your DH. You probably saved his life.

You did as much as you could but I think that we have to accept that catching something is always a risk. I have a relative who is a frequent flyer to Portugal and I would say catches a heavy cold at least half the time.

I think you did what you could, foxie,. I also have an asthma type cough and I must say the ‘better quality’ masks set it off, and if I cough a lot this can make my nose run or sneeze. But I must say that if this was the case I would have explained to you.

Grannyactivist, I’m so glad your chap was able to get help and is recovering... scary stuff!

I’d have done everything possible to keep myself safe, including leaving my seat, as I’m medically vulnerable.

I look after a man who has a learning disability and two weeks ago he followed the plan I’d put in place in case he became ill with suspected Covid:

Day one, he called to say he had a cough, but he felt okay.
Day two, he called to report the cough was not so bad, but he felt slightly unwell.
Day three, he called to say he couldn’t catch his breath.

We dashed to his flat and my husband administered a LFT through an open window (ground floor flat) and it was negative, but I could hear his breathing was very laboured and his colour was very grey. I checked his SATS with my own oximeter (still through the window) and over a period of ten minutes it fluctuated between 70-80!

An ambulance came very quickly (lights and sirens) and whisked him off to hospital where it transpired that he had pneumonia following infection by Type A Influenza.

My point is that it’s easy to overlook that there are other illnesses out there that can mimic Covid symptoms and be just as dangerous.

(Happily, my chap is now out of the ICU and hoping to be discharged in the next few days.)

I would have been ok with this.....would have preferred he sat else where....but such is life.... but then I have had covid and have had 4 jabs...and all my family, partner, my mum, my kids my GC have all had covid and luckily all very mildly...so I don't tend to think about covid much at all these days...and don't worry about it....I might have had a moment of thinking hope get home OK..and don't have to isolate abroad...but the thought would have been fleeting....I wouldn't not travel on a plane anymore

Not everyone who coughs is carrying Covid.. I cough due to asthma and bronchiectasis. I prefer not to go on a plane for the very same reason as above. I don’t think asthma/bronc is contagious, but someone might tell me different

I feel we are in a difficult period of transition, I'm in my 70's and don't want to put my life on hold for any longer than I have to and I've accepted that I might catch Covid. Actually my greatest concern was becoming ill whilst in Portugal and either having to self isolate until I tested clear or do what had made me feel uncomfortable by flying home coughing and unwell. It wouldn't have been easy to find accommodation, change flight etc.

I don't like flying and haven't been on a plane since the 90s. Definitely wouldn't be on one now, but I do not have close family abroad. It's a difficult thing and I don't think there is much you could have done otherwise. This will be the new reality, selfish people who are ill will take the view I'm going cos I've paid for this holiday. I have decided I have no desire to travel abroad for the immediate future. It certainly is a shame if your health is not the best, but your family are abroad. I think I would invest in the more specialist mask others have talked about.

You did all you could do. Let’s not forget not all coughs are Covid coughs. If it still bother you, then best not to travel on public transport till you feel more relaxed.

I would have been annoyed and uncomfortable. I'm glad you haven't tested positive.

Very worrying for you, but you did all you could under the circumstances and hopefully won't have picked up anything from the gentleman, Covid or otherwise ?