Have a holiday booked for 2020?

Or thinking of escaping lockdown for some last minute sun?

If you’re wondering what the flight will be like with the new COVID 19 restrictions, let me share with you a few pointers I experienced when flying from Manchester to Dalaman airport in Turkey this August, so you know what to expect:

Face Masks

As you’d expect, these had to be worn at all times inside the airport and plane by everyone over the age of 6, except for those exempt. Although a lot of people had them off or pulled down below their nose

Passenger Locator Forms

You’ll be given one of these forms on the plane to fill out, which will include your name and phone number, Passport number, seat number, contact number of who you’re flying with and a check box to see whether you have any symptoms or cared for someone recently with symptoms of Covid 19. Some places like Greece request you fill this out before you get the airport so triple check online if your destination requires this before you arrive at the airport. There’ll be a box in Arrivals to deposit them. Usually, you’ll get given one to fill out from your hotel before you fly home from your holiday to give in when you return home.

ONE Bar Service

Once in the air, we were advised there would be only ONE bar service for the entire flight! Be prepared to stock up on all your drinks and snacks for the entire plane journey in one go! There was also no hot food available, only a choice of 2 cold sandwiches and snacks in packets. Hot drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks were available with ice – including the option of purchasing a whole bottle of Prosecco, which of course I couldn’t resist! If you’re sitting in the middle of the plane, you’ll be served last, as both trolleys start from either end. To avoid disappointment, maybe prepare some to take with you or buy some sandwiches at the airport to avoid disappointment.

Toilets

On our flight, only the rear toilets were in use and we were advised not to queue up more than 10 people, which I think was excessive because there was always a huge queue! I would recommend not choosing a seat near the front or back of plane near the toilets as there were queues the entire time, which meant more people were around you in such a small space – and not everyone wore their masks. When travelling to Egypt, a friend of mine had to put their hand up or press the call button above their seat if they wanted to go to the toilet so as to limit queues.

Testing

There was no actual temperature tests carried out at Manchester airport or when arriving into Dalaman airport, which was surprising. Our mini bus transfer stopped half a mile from the resort to temperature check our wrists and again upon entering the hotel – and every morning before breakfast.

Hope this has shed some light on what to expect when you fly. Social distancing measures were in place plus plenty of hand sanitiser was around and masks were available to buy.

Peace!

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