Good! I am glad Delta is taking this seriously.

Safe travels!

To get back to the original question, I will fly again when the virus is no longer a danger to me or my wife. Probably a couple of years from now. But with my luck, they will probably want to put us on a 737 Max.

Thanks, Mrwunrful; right now we are in second to last row on right side but may move to last for reasons you mention.

I flew LEX/ATL/MCO August 20. At LEX there was one guy in my gate area without a mask. Since most of the gates were empty, it was easy to stay far away from him. As we boarded, he put on an N95 mask. Delta was handing out Purell wipes and a baggie of water/Biscoff's/Cheezits/Purell squeeze packet. They made a couple of announcements about masks and everyone seemed to comply (that I could see including the guy that didn't have his on in the gate area). Seats were socially distanced. LEX has hand sanitizers throughout the gate area.

ATL - You will see plenty of people in ATL without masks or down around their chins. I've forgotten what concourse I arrived at (should have posted day of), but had to change concourses. Jumped off the train at C because someone boarded my car without a mask. Detoured up to C to see how it was and many things were still closed (that's the case with most concourses). There is still hand sanitizer in the bathrooms. A lot of empty gates so if you have time to kill, you can walk to an empty area and sit. I will say that the FA on this leg was a bit rude to the young woman in front of me. Clearly she didn't understand boarding/baggage rules (it was pretty clear English was not her 1st language).

ATL/MCO - FA's were not handing out wipes on this flight (bigger plane, more people). As I was about three rows from my seat (39D), I noticed the people behind me were not wearing masks (40D/F). I had noticed the FA for the back of the plane had been socializing with them before I got that close (not about masks). I motioned her to come to me and told her I wanted to be moved if they were not going to comply with Delta's mask policy. She then asked them to put them on and they did. They kept them on the remainder of the time. There was a woman in 39F and she kept her mask on the entire time. Across the aisle was a couple sitting in 39A/B. The FA interacted with them numerous times (socializing again/laughing) and the woman took her mask off often or down around her chin. The FA did nothing about it. The guy kept his on the entire flight. I need to find out the procedure about reporting an FA that is not enforcing Delta's mask mandate.

MCO - Still not very many people flying and a lot of things closed.

You will encounter a lot of people with masks around their chins or only over their mouths in the concourses (including pilots) and some even on flights. You will see one or two walking around without any sign of a mask.

I'll add the return trip info later.

All travel plans cancelled for this year, so I guess I won't be flying anytime soon

Thank you, KYBOURBON, for that current and detailed description of your experience flying in several airports. I hope you do find a way to report the lack of compliance with with Delta procedures - by FAs and Flyers. My own last flying experience was in mid/late March from Arg. to WDC via Panama - on Copa - and they were pretty careful with lots of room to sit, wait and board carefully. Most with masks. No idea if that continues. I do hope so.

Cyprus! Business and personal -side trip as soon as the situation is better!
I am easily please these days ANYWHERE will do haha

Flying very soon! Life must totally go on!

Just flew cross country, vast improvment since June as far as COVID compliance and enforcement.

I flew again. I felt very comfortable with Delta's protocols.
I don't want to return to flying for work on a regular basis, but my flights went very well.

I am comfortable flying on Delta and perhaps SW.
Not United or American.

Thanks for your continued updates, kybourbon. There were/ are invaluable.

I didn't get my update done. I probably should start a separate thread as I'm not sure people that are thinking about flying would look at this one.

I flew again Oct. 13 and have flights today.

Changes at LEX. The couple of stores right before security are closed. I had grabbed something to eat on the way to the airport and felt that was a good place to eat as there were no people around and socially distanced (there are some tables in front of those stores). Overhead, before security, is a Big Ass Fan (massive in the ceiling - at least 20'+) so good air dispersion (Big Ass Fans is a Lexington company). There were new security screening procedures. Everything stays in your bag and everything must be in the bins. In the past, they didn't want your carry on, backpack or shoes in the bins and they wanted electronics out. They have larger bins now (big enough for wheeled carry on) and all electronics stay in. I'm curious if MCO has changed to this and will find out later today.

Hi :)

I am glad to say that I'm going to take the plane on February after a year without travelling... What a boring and difficult time we have been throught !

TODAY if I could find a country that will allow me to enter!! Already had to cancel Chile, and Span looks like it will be next....

It is now "next year" and I'm flying this week. From LGB to Austin Texas on Southwest, nonstop less then three hours. That one was paid out of pocket ($49)
For the return back from Houston I didn't like the fares or times so I'm burning Delta miles, with a connection in SLC. If the connection gets missed (1hour 10 minutes) there is a later flight.

I'm also supposed to fly in June to Anchorage and on to Nome, and return.

Boomer got the Vaxxx.....

mlgb - would love to hear your experience with Southwest, especially now that the middle seat is back in business!

As I mentioned in a prior post, I had travel funds expiring, so have booked a flight on SW at the end of the month for a mini-break in Santa Fe. First leg LAX - PHX - ABQ; Second leg ABQ - LAS - LAX. The entire trip is booked with travel funds. Except the early bird sign-up that cost $80 for the two of us, out of pocket.

We've been fully vaxxed since February. My neighbor, an ER doctor, has been traveling back and forth from Key West since he was fully vaxxed. He told me what he does when traveling by plane, and we'll follow his lead. He wears a KN95 mask and wore (until this month) a face shield over the mask. Brought antibacterial wipes and wiped down everything, including the seat belt, before sitting down. Glared at people whose masks were down below their nose (the eye contact he claims works better than bitching!).

I tend to take extra precautions . . . disposable gloves and spray (but don't think I can take the spray on the plane or put into luggage), and will do the same wipe down in the car we're renting. I'll also be bringing my own small pillow like I did on road trips earlier this year. And lots of wipes!

I'm back home.

Flew in and out of Long Beach Airport so can't tell about how LAX. I got a ride to the airport so no issues there with shuttle buses. On my return I used Lyft and there was a longer than normal wait for a driver but it was a Friday dinnertime.

There was a bit of a wait for baggage drop at check in (LGB and especially Houston IAH), but again spacing can be controlled.

TSA lines were managed although people did tend to crowd up on you. Not much different than a supermarket. Shoes off, everything out of pockets any jackets or even overshirts off, laptops in separate bin. I did see CLEAR in operation at IAH for Delta.

One thing shocking at the airports (if you've been careful at home) was that bars are open and people are eating and drinking unmasked and then spill out into the common areas. Lots of masks below the nose or not at all inside the boarding areas at any of the airports I used.

They boarded by rows, back of plane first after those with special status. That part was well controlled. My flight was 100% booked. I made a beeline for the back of plane and got lucky with someone taking the aisle seat and I managed to get that row's window. The middle seats all filled in. One wipe would clean everything, I think. I didn't bother. Washed hands when I used the airport restroom at arrival.

There are no seatback magazines. Don't forget your own earphones. I can't remember if I watched on my phone or seatback. For checked bags you still get a paper ticket. Watched An American Pickle (kind of funny).There were no pillows obviously. Still doing snacks and drinks (out of a cup, no can).

Deplaning was somewhat more concerning as people tend to jam up.

I don't recall any issues at baggage claim in Austin.

Car rentals are busy, there was a short line in Austin and I saw big lines waiting to pickup cars Friday in Houston (IAH). I used Budget/Avis. No lines to drop off.

I swore off Southwest after that experience just because the flight was packed full. But I survived with only two hours in the air (three total on the plane). Being fully vaxed I flew on April 8 and am now well past the incubation period.

Delta on the return with the middle seat blocked was a delight! Unfortunately that is only until the end of the month.

Enjoy your trip. It should be fine.

PS I didn't eat inside a restaurant! I did takeout or drive through only, and made a few microwave meals in my room. Even in Texas I saw masks worn inside supermarkets. The receptionists at hotels have plexiglass shields, breakfasts are limited to grab-n-go, and rooms are clean.

Oh yes, the rental car was very clean when picked up (and nearly new, 2400 miles). For some odd reason there were no floor mats which meant my sand and mud dust was all over the floor on return.

Apparently rental cars are in short supply since so many were sold over the last year. The base charge was not that bad, but Texas socks you on the taxes.

DD and I are flying home from Indiana in June. We are both vaccinated, and I plan to wear a KN95 mask the entire airport/flight. Disinfectant wipes to the armrests and table. We'll be OK. The vaccine isn't perfect, but it's extremely protective. My husband has avoided getting infected all year, as a respiratory therapist taking care of COVID patients 3-4 nights a week. Proper mask wearing EVERY TIME, excellent hand washing. People who got sloppy got sick.

We flew r/t Seattle to Boston last September on Delta and felt perfectly safe. We have tickets for New Mexico this September, and Spain for Christmas. I am already looking for a good itinerary for Croatia & Slovenia in May 2022.