In times of Corona, there are a few things to consider when traveling. Of course, this also applies to air travel. There are new hygiene standards and safety precautions at the airport and on the plane. So if you want to go on holiday by plane, then precise preparation is necessary. In the following article, we provide you with a checklist in which we summarize the most important points.
What should be considered before the flight?
Before you plan a trip, you should find out about the current situation at your destination. Knowing the current notices, warnings and obligations is extremely important. You can consult this website of the Federal Foreign Office for this purpose.
Because a negative corona test is an important prerequisite for entry into most countries, many airports have set up stations in Germany where passengers can be tested for the virus.
The following applies to all guests entering Germany by plane: They must show a negative test at check-in at the point of departure – even if they enter Germany from a non-risk area.
Without such a negative test, no flight is possible. Excluded from this are recovered and fully vaccinated.
How to get to the airport
The journey to the airport is currently often done individually with your own car, which is then left at the airport parking lot. But that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Bus or train work just as well, you just have to comply with the safety measures, which also apply at the airport.
When arriving by public transport and shuttle service, the Infection Protection Act must be observed in any case. If the airport is located far from the city, such as Frankfurt Hahn Airport, airport transfer is a good option. The tickets can be bought conveniently online, travel stress-free with the Shuttle bus from Frankfurt Hbf. to Frankfurt Hahn Airport and no longer have to look for a parking space.
Addendum from 01 December 2021:
And don’t forget to compare parking prices at the airport. Depending on whether you park near the terminal or in the surrounding area with a shuttle transfer, you can save dramatic parking fees. You can compare the prices e.g. on www.park-sleep-fly.net/de/
Conditions at the airport
At most airports, guests are only allowed to enter the hall with their ticket. However, the area that cannot be left by accompanying persons is clearly marked in these cases. Signs on site explain how guests must behave.
At airports in Germany, a medical mask is mandatory for all passengers aged six and over. These include FFP2 and FFP3 masks, KN95/N95 masks without valves and surgical masks. On the one hand, this mask requirement only applies in the airport building and, on the other hand, on the tarmac and on the flights of most airlines – as well as when passengers re-enter Germany. In addition, the airports have increased the regulations on cleaning and regularly disinfect the surfaces.
Passengers should check in online before the flight during Corona and check in their luggage at the automatic drop-off counters. This shortens the time they have to spend at the airport with a mask before the flight. Nevertheless, a time buffer should be planned, as there may be longer waiting times.
At check-in, at the gate, at the security check and after landing, the necessary distance of 1.50 to 2 should be maintained. Markings on the ground and signs help with this.
The conditions during the flight
Important rules apply when boarding the aircraft as well as at the seat. Above all, passengers should keep their distance. In general, every passenger wants to get on board quickly, but guests should wait a little longer and therefore avoid a large crowd. Many airlines currently board according to group numbers, which can be found on the board pass and call the guests when it is their turn.
These increased regulations for protection when flying during the Corona period also ensure that many airlines can only take one piece of hand luggage per person on the plane, all others have to be checked separately. The hand luggage should be compact enough so that passengers can quickly stow it on board and not hold up the other passengers for too long.
At the seat, the middle seat usually remains free, in any case the mask requirement applies to all passengers. This again includes medical masks. It is advisable to take several masks with you, as these are not provided by the airlines.
In any case, air travel is also possible during the Corona crisis. However, they should prepare for the new hygiene standards and safety precautions.
