Flights

If you’re planning international travel in 2021, you may be curious about which of the vaccine passports in development and about to launch that you should get. We’ve put together a list of the top contenders that will be available to Americans very soon. IATA Travel Pass The International Air Transport Association (IATA) developed Travel Pass, a digital passport that allows you to store and manage your COVID-19 test results or vaccine records. Doctors will send you your test results or vaccination certificate and you can then link those documents to the Travel Pass app prior to traveling. Just show the app to the agent at the airport along with your passport and ticket. Travel Pass does not store the

Current as of 3/24/21 Even though it’s quite early in the vaccine rollout, we’re already to a point where countries are starting to make announcements about waiving quarantine and testing restrictions for visitors who are vaccinated. But hold your horses! Some of these countries do still have bans on citizens from certain countries (including the United States in some cases), so it might be a bit early to start dusting off that passport. Having said that, we believe that once countries start to open, it’s a foregone conclusion that others will follow. We promise to keep you updated on which countries are welcoming back the fully vaccinated. Here’s where things stand right now. Belize Welcomes fully vaccinated travelers who received

Now more than ever, travelers place a premium on airlines that go above and beyond with regard to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. With airport activity picking up and people taking to the skies once again, it’s no longer just about getting the best deal and cheapest fare. Luckily, the airline industry has adapted quickly, employing a variety of practices to ensure all travelers can fly with peace of mind. The latest edition of the Safe Travel Barometer calculates an airline’s “Safe Travel Score” based on an exhaustive independent audit. It contemplates health and safety measures, initiatives that focus on traveler convenience, customer service, and the overall travel experience. Read on for the top 10 North American airlines for health

Last week, major U.S. airlines announced that they will implement a voluntary contact tracing information program in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Travelers arriving from abroad that agree to provide their information to American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, and other carriers will have their details relayed to the CDC to improve COVID-19 contact tracing. Ultimately, the goal is to track the spread of the coronavirus and limit outbreaks. Contact tracing is one of the best means of controlling COVID-19 and flattening the curve. The news comes after nearly a year of unenforced regulations that would have required airlines to collect key data from international passengers for electronic submission to Customers and Border Protection (CBP). Though

Before the pandemic hit, I was a 2-3 flights a year kind of person and I usually like to fly American Economy. Recently, I took my first trip since the pandemic and booked a flight from Chicago (ORD) to Boston (BOS). Because of the inexpensive prices I was able to upgrade myself (thank you, me) and purchase a Premium Economy ticket. Here are my impressions from that flight experience, from booking to baggage check. Booking My Ticket My trip to Boston came about because the fares were just so darn low. I decided to visit some old friends in the city and started my search. A Basic Economy fare was under $100 round trip, so I spent a little extra

Etihad Airways, the flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is officially the first airline in the world to vaccinate all of its operating pilots and on-board cabin crew against COVID-19. Earlier this year, as part of the inaugural "APEX Health Safety" audit, Etihad was also awarded Diamond status for ensuring and enforcing the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said:“We proactively made the vaccine available to all our employees to not only help combat the effects of COVID-19 but to make travelers feel confident and reassured the next time they fly with us. We are the only airline in the world to make COVID-19 testing mandatory for every

Though the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine renewed hope for citizens around the world, new travel requirements announced by US authorities have grown stricter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that all international travelers arriving to the United States must present a negative COVID-19 test. This new measure goes into effect on January 26, 2021 and also impacts US citizens returning from abroad. In a statement released by the CDC, director Dr. Robert R. Redfield emphasized that testing alone cannot “eliminate all risk,” and urged travelers to continue wearing masks, follow social distancing measures, and respect quarantine guidelines. How will these measures be enforced? Airlines will check for passenger’s proof of either a negative COVID test result