Gone are the days of airlines leaving middle seats empty, of planes flying with few people, of nearly empty airports. Business travel may not be back, in-person conferences may be the exception rather than the norm, but the airports and airplanes are full.
The trip going out to Reno, both flights (we connected in Dallas) filled every seat. On one of them the gate agent came on looking for empty seats she could fill. The gate areas were packed with people. On the flight back, I lucked out with empty middle seats on both flights, but the planes were 90% or more at capacity - on a weekend that American Airlines was having schedule problems, they cancelled 18% of their schedule that day mostly due to crew shortages.
There is no "food for sale" in coach. No alcohol in coach (no big difference for me, I seldom drink when I am flying.)
The photo above was taken DFW, we ended up with four hours between flights. I found the manspreading and the stop the spread sign to be a delightful contrast. I do enjoy an empty middle seat and being able to spread out a little.
Nephew and niece-in-law just arrived from the States. Four planes and not one problem. What a relief.
ReplyDeleteNew York, New York!
DeleteThere's a photo going around showing extreme social distancing at the airport gate and then everyone sitting on a packed plane.
ReplyDeleteSilly eh!
DeleteA friend of mine returned from a flight and just got diagnosed with covid. The flight and one other place are the only two places he could have caught it. I think they are letting to many on flights personally. I miss traveling....but don't know im ready to fly yet.Ill just enjoy the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised how packed the flights were, take 1/3rd of the seats out and give us some room
DeleteI have not traveled since the pandemic started. Thank goodness cause I'd freak out a little. I think they are lifting restrictions too quickly to make up for lost time (and the crew shortage is not helping).
ReplyDeleteThe manspreading in the photo is incredible. Would not like to be his row mate...
XOXO
I had to stop and take that photo. And we had four hours in DFW, because of an unidentified liquid streaming out of an engine delayed out first flight by 90 minutes.
DeleteLove the picture...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'll be ready to fly again any time soon, but definitely prefer to only sit with people I know or alone. I hate being so close to strangers.
Sassybear
www.idleeyesandadormy.com
Time for first class,
DeleteWhen we went to Oregon, our first leg of the trip [to Dallas] there were many empty seats. We had three seats to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAll the other flights were sardines, in masks though.
I lucked out on the trip back with empty middle seats
DeleteI'm not surprised there's no alcohol sales on planes now. People are getting out of control over mask-wearing and violence ensues. They don't need alcohol to fuel that rage further.
ReplyDeleteAgree, there was one person really craving a drink
DeleteI found the same thing when I flew to New York. Both the flight there and the flight home were full and in fact, over sold. They were looking for volunteers to take a different flight. When I went to California in September, it was a different story. The airport was empty and the middle seat empty.
ReplyDeleteI think the holidays are going to be crazy busy
DeleteFlying is a miserable experience now. Knowing I have to fly somewhere mars the trip and often discourages me for going.
ReplyDeleteFor many
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