Intercontinental travel during the pandemic

Intercontinental air travel during the pandemic is not a piece of cake, not even for seasoned travelers. Here is what to expect for the necessary trips you have to make. 

Shortage of flights 

The first challenge is the shortage of flights, making transit plans more cumbersome. Reduced cadence to a single daily flight for many of the routes still in operation. Both for flights connecting to hubs and between intercontinental hubs. Airlines have made further cutbacks after the holidays. Expect a reality to be a few options per week when connecting.

Track policy changes in realtime 

The second challenge is to navigate various information sources for policies that are frequently changing. A mix of airlines, airports, and foreign affairs sites is worth tracking to find the right and latest information. Especially when it comes to COVID test policies and which countries you can enter or connect without a problem. 

Obtaining a COVID test certificate 

Certain countries require you to prove a negative PCR test or similar before boarding your first or second flight. The hardest part is to find a provider, understand which providers have their act together for travel certificates and can offer fast turn-around times. Timing is vital to secure a margin between test and issued certificate and to have a margin to 48/72 hour rules when boarding your final flight. Both are short windows, especially for return flights, where you are less familiar with the whole process in the country you visit. 

The ideal would be a provider offering tests at an airport hotel in the late afternoon the day before your flight. You arrive, get tested, check-in for the night, and get the certificate when you check out before your board. 

Heathrow on shaky ground 

With the UK hit hard by the second COVID spike, LHR is a questionable transit point, affecting One World trips to/from Europe. My return flight was canceled three days in a row, the last cancellation 12 hours before departure. On top of that, the mandatory COVID test for US-bound flights. New costly tests can be in play if a flight is delayed or canceled.

If possible, target a direct flight from the US to your intercontinental destination to reduce transit risks.

Single terminal operations 

Airports meet reduced demand with a concentration of all flights to a single terminal. Working in your favor when connecting, but the classic bus to gate solutions can still be in play at large European hubs like FRA and CDG.

Road warrior tricks out of play

• Recover from delays by switching to a later flight - plan with more connection margins in your plan A. 
• Arrive Just-in-time at the airport - you need to add margins for fewer transfer buses from rental car centers and airport hotels and reduced service levels overall.
• Eat at the airport before flights with light meals onboard - eat before departing and carry personal snacks. 
• Last-minute airport shopping on your way home - shop on the internet for shipping when you arrive.

A few upsides to enjoy while they last 

• Easy to find seats, even on popular routes, and when booking late
• No rebooking fees 
• No inter-terminal transfers 
• Easier to get upgraded
• Easy to find hotel rooms, even at airport hotels by the terminals

I hope these insights can take out risk and stress from your next intercontinental trips as long as the pandemic still is in play in a significant way.