While this review comes from my experience on just one flight, it paints a picture of what you should expect if you get on a Sun Country sometime soon during the COVID-19 pandemic. So I paid an extra $17 for an aisle seat in the front. And that even extends to low-cost carriers like Sun Country. My husband and I recently few Sun County and Sadly they continue to ignore seat spacing and social distancing boarding and deplaning. As in pre-COVID times, when the seatbelt sign turned off and we came to a stop, many travelers sprang to their feet. All rights reserved. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Several passengers wore face masks incorrectly, including one passenger a row ahead of me wearing her face mask as an eye mask to sleep. always allows fares to be changed or canceled for free, Sun Country isn’t blocking middle seats during coronavirus, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. The airline will also drop three routes from Portland, Oregon to Honolulu, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Please ensure you check the most up to date travel restrictions and country-specific requirements before you fly. They look more comfortable than what I have been wearing. Mikhala joined the Thrifty Traveler team in 2018 after living in China and completing graduate school. The land of sun, sea and sangria is Britain’s favourite holiday destination: 18.1 million of us visited in 2019. The Las Vegas airport is vigilant about safety during the pandemic: You’ll see signage and hand sanitizer stations everywhere. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I am a senior in college. Thank you for writing this. As a result of Covid-19 you may be required to complete and present additional travel documentation before you travel. I would not have known this if I had not read it. In the first week of March, before COVID-19 became widespread in the U.S. and the World Health Organization classified the outbreak a pandemic, I flew home to Los Angeles for my last-ever spring break. Here's how to mitigate risk when flying during the coronavirus pandemic Fauci also questioned the effectiveness of temperature checks before flights , something airlines have been pushing the … Boarding: Sun Country’s boarding process has not changed. Between April 1 and October 31, 319,675 people flew out of Australia, and 134,624 people landed. Besides the occasional pass through the cabin to pick up trash, I hardly saw the flight attendants throughout the duration of the flight. But once COVID began to bite in March and Australia began restricting passenger movements, the numbers skewed. This is surreal experience and It was not what we expected at all. Southwest 5. Agreed – it felt a bit surreal, didn’t it? Paul (MSP) hub and 14 destinations, including several on the West Coast where the heaviest concentration of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have been reported. I used a small portion of it to travel to Arizona in November, and still have over $200 left that I will have to use until next March. The European Commission is doing its utmost to allow people to meet friends and family and to ensure free movement of citizens, goods and services – with full respect of health and safety measures. This article introduces the routing, flights and reports the first leg -- a domestic widebody sector from Porto Alegre to São Paulo/Guarulhos with LATAM Brasil. And the boarding and deplaning processes remain largely unchanged, too. Face Masks: All passengers and crew are required to wear a face covering. The airport and flying parts of traveling are the biggest highlights of any trip for him – as this avgeek always gets a thrill from sampling different airline cabin products and checking out regional developments happening at local U.S. airports. FLYING THE FLAG Biden inauguration – Touching pics show field of nearly 200,000 US flags symbolizing those absent due to Covid How safe is flying during COVID-19? Hi, Mikhala: Delta Air Lines 3. UK passengers flying to the US must test negative for coronavirus Credit: ... Travellers arriving in UK without Covid test fined £500 then let into country. One week before the roughly 41/2-hour flight, the tour group interacted with a hotel manager, who was later diagnosed with COVID-19. In May, the airline will also end its seasonal route earlier between Minneapolis and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I just flew Sun Country and experienced everything you did. At the Las Vegas airport, most people were wearing masks in the gate area – except while eating and drinking. It was a bit unnerving to be literally bumping knees with strangers like the old days. U.K. Aerospace Sector Calls on Government for Industry Support, Air Senegal Adds European Destinations, Reduces African Network, Iberia Completes Purchase Of Air Europa at Significant Discount, Japanese LCC Skymark Chooses 4-Day Workweek Instead of Furloughs, Interjet Cancels All Flights Through 2020, Mexican LCC Volaris Unveils Wonder Woman Livery on A320neo. All you need to know is the Sun Country airlines cancellation policy. Keep in mind your experience may vary by flight – especially if you’re departing from Sun Country’s Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) hub. In April, Sun Country will operate fewer flights between Minneapolis and Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Chicago-O’Hare, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. I didn’t see any additional COVID-19 signage with safety reminders from Sun Country, but there were airport posters about mandatory masks. © 2021 Thrifty Traveler. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. JetBlue 7. Sad because I was looking at Sun Country as an option to travel in December. To slow down the spread of coronavirus and protect the health and well-being of all Europeans, some travel restrictions have been necessary. Just like fellow budget carrier Spirit Airlines, Sun Country has made some noticeable changes to improve safety while flying. The airline currently operates route within the Americas and Caribbean but will forgo some services to stymie any viral transmission whilst new cases of the virus are discovered in the US. VULTURES were pictured circling over New York's skyline as the city continues to be plagued by the ever-worsening coronavirus pandemic. But the Sun Country boarding process has not changed during COVID-19, and the airline was not enforcing or reminding passengers to social distance on the jetbridge. If you schedule a new flight using your $200 credit just for a flight, with no seat or baggage, maybe 90 days out then cancel it at least 60 days from the flight, ( I would do it the next day), The airline is one of the first U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers to drop several routes in response to the new global virus. Before booking with Sun Country, I read up on their COVID-19 policies to get a better feel for what to expect: Changing or Canceling Fares: Sun Country does not currently have a special cancellation policy in place, but the airline always allows fares to be changed or canceled for free at least 60 days before departure (with fees applying for flights closer to departure). Are you at increased risk for severe illness? In an eerie set of images, the scavengers were spotted flying across Downtown Manhattan on Friday — before the nation's Covid-19 death toll reached 39,015. . It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Aside from the new mask requirements, flying Sun Country during COVID-19 looked and felt a lot like the days of pre-pandemic travel – and that’s about what I expected. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. How Sun Country, other airlines, will handle the new negative-COVID rule on international flights By KRISTEN LEIGH PAINTER Star Tribune Jan 17, 2021 And when it comes to inflight service, Sun Country has taken a bare-bones approach to limit contact between flight attendants and passengers. Why I had to fly. Almost every aspect of the flying experience has changed during the pandemic. Required fields are marked *. I heard overhead announcements every 10 or so minutes reminding travelers to wear masks, spread out, and wash their hands frequently. To reduce introduction and spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, CDC issued an Order pdf icon [PDF – 9 pages] effective January 26, 2021. Masks are required (over your mouth and nose) throughout the trip , from Uber rides to airport car rental shuttles. Service: Sun Country has suspended all in-flight service, including free drinks and buy-on-board beverages and food. I had to cancel a flight mid March when COVID first hit. Before booking with Sun Country, I read up on their COVID-19 policies to get a better feel for what to expect: Changing or Canceling Fares: Sun Country does not currently have a special cancellation policy in place, but the airline always allows fares to be It has faux glasses inside, so the shield rests easily on your face instead of the foam on the forehead. Check-In: Like many other airlines, Sun Country has a check-in certification process requiring travelers to confirm they have not had COVID-19 symptoms; have not tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to anyone who has; and will wear a mask throughout the flight. Your email address will not be published. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Sun Country Airlines offers affordable flights and vacation packages to destinations across the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. When it came time for our flight to board, everyone got up and in line as normal – social distancing was not enforced in the boarding line. The airline is one of the first U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers to drop several routes in response to the new global virus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are a number of COVID-19 testing technologies currently available or emerging on the commercial market. Niamh ... Coronavirus was first detected in the city of Wuhan in the ... London, SE1 9GF. China BANS team of WHO experts from entering country during Covid cover-up probe. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. There was a Sun Country flight boarding at the gate before mine. Sun Country isn’t blocking middle seats during coronavirus, and I didn’t want to get stuck in one. Aside from the reminders during boarding, I didn’t see or hear any Sun Country flight attendants asking passengers to wear their masks properly during my flight. Sun Country Airlines is reducing its schedule starting in April as ticket sales slump due to COVID-19 fears. I have looked into Philippines requirements and posted questions about it in the Asia-Philippines forum. Bummer. How to travel safely in airports and on aircraft during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I wish I’d know this when we booked out tickets – I would have chosen a more expensive airline! The flight was completely full. The family behind us took their masks off except when an attendant walked by for trash. In response, we’ve made targeted capacity adjustments,” a Sun Country spokeswoman said in an e-mail. In May, the airline will reduce its schedule from Minneapolis to Anchorage, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Newark and Fort Myers. Deciding which airline you should fly with is more important than ever as people consider returning to the skies. Experts weigh on on air travel during the pandemic, how to avoid coronavirus on planes. In this case, my flight was from Las Vegas (LAS) to Minneapolis (MSP). Some passengers are unaware that they're infected when they fly. Beginning in April, Sun Country will reduce the number of flights from its Minneapolis/St. He’s flown on almost every major carrier in the U.S. and Asia Pacific, and he hopes to try out the new A350s soon. According to a new study, the risk of contracting the virus on a full flight is just 1 in 4,300, and the odds lower to 1 in 7,700 if the airline is adopting the middle seat open policy. Flying during this time. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates What is it like for international flying during COVID-19 pandemic? Sun Country lists no exceptions to this policy. Thanks for another great and helpful article. The second part should be published in the next few…, Three organizations representing the aerospace industry in the U.K. have written to the government, calling for support to protect the…, Prolonged travel restrictions and stringent entry requirements – in response to the COVID-19 catastrophe – continue to be an impediment…, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has suspended 270 flights to the Netherlands, including all of its intercontinental services, after new government…. Nice job- very thorough coverage of entire process. My family if flying from LAX to MSP later this week with two small children. Before Flying. American Airlines 2. Alaska 6. Failure to present any mandatory documentation will result in your travel being denied by local authorities. Sun Country Airlines is reducing its flight schedule during the spring season due to decreased travel demand caused by the spread of COVID-19. you will have another year from the day you scheduled to use the flight. As I boarded the plane, I noticed that we had a nearly-full flight from Las Vegas to Minneapolis: Just a few seats were empty. I am interested in your mask and shield. The more cases in your community or at your destination, the more likely you are to get and spread COVID-19 during travel. However, a negative result from a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by Ireland’s public health authorities in relation to international travel. At our gate, there were no social distance space markers on the ground or boarding area – a contrast from other airlines like Delta. And with flight attendants largely steering clear of passengers expect to pick up trash, enforcement of mask policies might be spotty as it was on my flight. When it came time to deplane, there was not an announcement reminding travelers to socially distance while getting off the plane. Coronavirus deaths are rising in nearly two ... that it would require proof of a negative COVID-19 test for anyone flying into the country. Sun Country has suspended all food and beverage services to avoid person-to-person interaction. Definitely recommend! If you do decide to travel, be sure to take these steps during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19: Check travel restrictions before you go. Until in-flight service resumes, don’t expect to get any food or drink onboard your next Sun Country flight. But the country is currently experiencing one of Europe’s highest rates of COVID-19 infections, with health minister Salvador Illa recently calling the situation there ‘out of control’. It is sad that people need to be reminded continually to follow these precautions, when everybody knows better. More travelers are returning to the skies months after the crisis began. I got the N-95 mask and the face shield both on Amazon – the mask is heavy-duty and wasn’t super comfortable, but made me feel safe and the shield is great! See our guide to airlines currently blocking middle seats. Sun Country’s certification also instructs passengers to check their own temperature and confirm it is below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. I realize terminal crews may vary but this gave me a good idea of the process- not one I would partake in. Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer. “Our hope is this will be the extent of our schedule changes, but this is a unique situation, so we will continue to closely monitor demand for necessary adjustments.”, After more than a year since the initial agreement was signed, Iberia has announced today the finalized acquisition of Air…, The first aircraft for Breeze Airways, the new project of JetBlue, Azul and WestJet founder David Neeleman, has left the…, This is part I of a two-part story about 2020 for the major airlines in Brazil in alphabetic order: Azul,…, This is Part One of a two-chapter story about international travel during times of COVID-19. Jerry. Advertisement: Sun Country Airlines has announced that it will cut some of its normal routes due to coronavirus fears. ... We have reduced our inflight catering to reduce contact between guests and our crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no enforced social distancing while deplaning. Yet some things remain largely unchanged from those blissful pre-pandemic travel days: no social distancing during boarding and deplaning and no blocked middle seats. Hawaiian ... London, SE1 9GF. Is it and where did you get them? As we took off, flight attendants weaved some COVID-19 reminders throughout their announcements: reminding passengers to keep masks on throughout the entire flight, wash their hands frequently, and to cough or sneeze in their elbow. “Most of the reductions are in markets where we offer many flights, allowing seamless re-accommodation opportunities for customers.”, The airline hopes to restore full service in June. Some airlines have switched up boarding during the pandemic. I headed to my Sun Country gate to await my flight. What a small world! This is very discouraging, I’ll have to use the credit and risk my health or eat that loss. Your report does not inspire one to choose Sun Country, if they are packing flights full, not enforcing social distancing and other aspects that enhance safety. Business cabin: Each guest will receive a snack box containing a selection of delicious pre-packaged foods appropriate to the time of day. Am hopeful that your article will spur Sun Country to make some adjustments soon. She is wildly enthusiastic about all things travel, but especially quirky and affordable lodging. How border restrictions smashed interstate flights during the coronavirus pandemic By Jordan Hayne and Markus Mannheim Posted 4 d days ago Sat Saturday 28 Nov November 2020 at 6:50pm , … And because it was a connecting flight, I did not enter through the check-in gates. In the ten months to the end of October, 4,373,130 people left Australia on international flights, and 4,766,604 people arrived. Published 11 June 2020 Last updated 18 January 2021 — see all updates Blocked Seats: Sun Country is not blocking seats from sale, but CEO Jude Bricker has said flight attendants will work with passengers on board to spread out when any extra seats go out empty. There was no service and no social distancing. Sun Country gave me a credit for the $330 flight. Anyone flying into Canada must now show proof of a negative COVID-19 deep nasal swab test that was conducted within 72 hours of boarding. Hi Mary, thanks! Anyone can get COVID-19 , but older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID … On March 9, a 24-member tourist group flew with 78 other passengers from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt. There was no word about Sun Country’s enhanced cleaning or air filtration measures, which is commonplace flying during the pandemic. United Airlines 4. Cleaning: While Sun Country isn’t cleaning its planes between each and every flight, the airline says it has boosted its cleaning procedures to any plane that’s on the ground for two or more hours – as well as overnight. 2020 Brazilian Airlines in Review Part I: After a Lost Year, What Can 2021 Bring. Get your flu shot before you travel. (I love how they can’t serve you “out of an abundance of caution” but there is no regard for caution elsewhere!) Latest network updates from U.S. Airlines: 1. Flying and spending time in airports is one of the riskiest things you can do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Answer 1 of 3: I am trying to see if I can visit the Philippines soon (tomorrow, if possible) due to a death in the family. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Sun Country did mention its air filtration and cleaning on the seat selection page: I flew Sun Country on the second leg of my flight home after moving my brother to California. Your email address will not be published. Nothing is available even for purchases, so you’ll want to bring drinks and snacks on your flight. “Travel demand is being impacted by the uncertainty around COVID-19, and we’re seeing softness in bookings for April and May. Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how to save on your next trip. As much as I missed flying, for the first time ever I did not want to fly, but rather had to.. Once a person has recovered from the disease caused by the coronavirus, Covid-19, for example, it is thought they cannot catch it again for a certain period of time. Sun Country Airlines is reducing its flight schedule during the spring season due to decreased travel demand caused by the spread of COVID-19. Guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, if they are legally permitted to travel internationally. I am 95% sure I was on this exact flight with you! 9 things to know about flying during the pandemic this holiday travel season 1. A Son Country Boeing 737-800 in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson). Most people hate long flights or overnight layovers, but Albert loves them. While it will vary by flight, Sun Country is selling flights to capacity which means you might be on a fairly full flight. So I captured the flying experience on a recent Sun Country flight from Las Vegas (LAS) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). The gate agent made an announcement to remember social distancing when boarding. The flight attendant had to speak to two people who were not wearing masks as they boarded the flight, then made an announcement about their mandatory mask policy. And Australia began restricting passenger movements, the airline will also end its seasonal route between... Next trip after the crisis began face covering by local authorities 9 a! 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