It comes as no surprise that the world of air travel has all but ceased to exist due to this year’s pandemic. With borders around the globe still closed or heavily restricted, astronomical numbers of flights have been cancelled affecting the airline industry globally. As of October 14th, the weekly number of flights is down 47% compared to the 70% decrease in February. While the airline industry is gradually improving, it still has quite a ways to go before it can be restored to its pre virus days. Due to this, United States airlines are offering ticket prices that are shockingly low.
Fancy a trip to Tokyo for sub $200? How about Buenos Aires for just $300? These are just a couple of the flight deals that have been scouted recently. It’s not just international travel either. Domestic flights are seeing a rapid decrease. Here are a few examples of week-long round trip deals:
Dallas, Texas > New York City > November 9 – 18 via American Airlines ($75)
Minneapolis, Minnesota > Denver, Colorado > October 24 – 30 via Spirit ($35)
Atlanta, Georgia > Chicago, Illinois > October 22 – 31 via Delta ($43)
A few things to consider
Many Americans are distracted due to the upcoming election and of course, the virus itself. Consequently, airlines are desperate to fill their planes and pockets. Due to the plummeting of flight sales, airlines hold only 1/3 of the passengers they used to and are losing millions each month.
But is it worth it? It seems that while the ticket price is low, there are a few things worth mentioning. The biggest hurdle is state crossed quarantines. Plan to fly to New York? You’ll be met with some of the strictest quarantine requirements in the nation. If you are arriving from any state or territory with more than 10 cases per 100,000, you can expect a 14-day mandatory quarantine. This is tricky to navigate, given that it’s based on a 7-day rolling average. Even the more lenient states such as Illinois and Georgia require a 12-day quarantine upon return – and at your own expense.
Additionally, there is the issue of safety. Experts have stated that rather than looking for the cheapest airlines ticket prices, look for the lowest risk one. Check if where you are travelling is rapidly increasing or decreasing in cases. Be sure to read up on any entry and exit requirements, too. Such as whether or not you’ll need to pay for your swab test and whether or not a pre-test will be accepted. Additionally, you’ll need to be mindful of where you are coming from. Several states update lists of restricted travel from areas that are spiking daily. If you do decide to scoop up one of these deals, be sure to practise social distancing, wash your hands regularly and wear a mask. To keep up to date with current advisories, including state regulations, you can head here.
