We are just four weeks from no mandatory quarantine as Hawaii travel restarts. The new restart date set is October 15, and we have more confidence than before that it will stick, although significant questions remain.
Your concerns from comments.
Claudia says, “Wondering though… if someone doesn’t have their test results back before they fly, and their test comes back positive, wouldn’t that expose others on the flight? So confusing.”
Kathryn conjectured, “So I get pretested, and am negative. I fly to Hawaii on a non-direct flight from my home stopping at an airport where I’m around people and get COVID. Seems like there is still a hole in the system. I don’t think any system is without holes, but if Hawaii thinks this will stop COVID from the mainline, that thought is false. However, I’m glad I can finally plan a visit!”
No “mandatory” test possible without the federal government.
It is our clear understanding that neither the state nor the airlines can make rules requiring mandatory testing before air travel to Hawaii from other states. That falls within the sole purview of the federal government and the FAA. Each state can implement quarantine on arrival for those without test results, but again, they cannot stop others from getting on the plane.
Chances of getting COVID on long flights to Hawaii.
While the idea of sitting near others no longer sounds enjoyable or safe, there have been very few documented cases of catching COVID on flights and it is believed the odds are very small.
Rules and fear have largely curtailed domestic air travel until now. That in spite of the apparent odds being very low. On a flight to Taipei in March, there were 12 symptomatic passengers. When the remaining 300 passengers and crew were tested, however, they were all negative. So while some people have become infected while flying, it appears that the rate of transmission on planes is low. On a flight between London and Vietnam in March, one passenger spread the virus to over a dozen other passengers plus a crew member. That of course took place before the safety protocols now firmly in place, including masks, intensive sanitization, limited movement on planes, and temperature screenings.
The greatest component on-board may be the HEPA hospital quality filters that remove virtually all viruses and replace the cabin air every few minutes.
Meanwhile, various new protocols have been implemented, such as face-coverings for both passengers and crew, which is mandatory on most airlines, temperature screenings, as well as more intensive cabin cleaning and limited movement in the cabin during the flight.
Regarding statistical odds, Arnold Barnett, of MIT, said that chances of a passenger catching the virus on a flight and dying are less than one in 500,000. While not addressing the longer flight times to Hawaii, he indicated that on shorter flights in the US on planes like Boeing 737 and Airbus A320/321, the risk of catching COVID with all seats taken is 1 in 4,300. With middle seats vacant, the odds are 1 in 7,700.
He added, “Most things are more dangerous now than they were before COVID, and aviation is no exception to that… Three things have to go wrong for you to get infected. There has to be a Covid-19 patient on board and they have to be contagious… If there is such a person on your flight, assuming they are wearing a mask, it has to fail to prevent the transmission. They also have to be close enough that there’s a danger you could suffer from the transmission.”
Safety at airports improves.
In addition to your flight to Hawaii, there’s the time spent in security lines and at airport terminals, which may still create closer than safe contact with other people. TSA has increased cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces at all screening checkpoints. Officers wear masks and gloves and practice social distancing. Gloves are changed after each pat-down. Plastic shields are in place at all document checking, bag search, and drop off positions.
Travelers can wear masks during screening, although officers may ask that they be adjusted to prove identity. Travelers now place boarding passes directly on the scanner, then hold them up for inspection. Travelers can carry a container of up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer on board.
Are you ready to fly again?
I just returned from an interstate flight in the Pacific Northwest.
The check was great on Alaska Airlines, TSA didn’t seem to care if folks were on top of each other, boarding was fine. Every other seat on the plane not occupied and no food service. I read it’s best to have a window seat where there frequently circulated air first comes out. In addition it is a good idea to adjust the air vents on you. We were reminded (several times) to keep our nose and mouth covered at all times except when actively eating or drinking. Several passengers around me took full advantage of this and left their masks pulled down a lot even when not eating. Very disappointing and frustrating.
I remain mystified at some people’s behavior and lack of regard for others.
Thanks for your great reporting
Laurie
Hi Laurie.
Thanks for letting us know how that went. We look forward to reporting on Hawaii flights soon enough.
Aloha.
We have been visiting Hawaii every year. Some people don’t even know that they have a covid -19 before they will take a test.
This sucks!!! There is a 30 days cancellation police for most hotels or condos. What about Airline tickets?? Hawaii vacation its not cheap and I don’t want to spend vacation with my wife in Hotel if we get positive result .This is no good for anybody and bringing back tourists to help jump start the state’s ailing economy will probably not happen !!!!
We are trying to plan a wedding in Hawaii for September 2021, I hope and pray that we will have vacc out and have flights back in order by then so we are able to make it as planned. So far I am able to look up and get estimate cost on everything but flights for next year. I pray all would get past this pandemic. Or at least learn to live with it. Thanks for listening
Hi Patricia.
We hope that all your plans work out for you.
Aloha.
I’m coming in January unless Honolulu has big spikes in cases.
I’ve been following the Re-opening of Hawaii for a while now because we’d booked a 10 night stay in Maui and the Big Island during the Christmas and New Year break! I just rescheduled that trip to Spring Break 2021 because of the testing requirements and the possibility of quarantine! We’re a family of 5, it’s not cheap to test and fly all of us from Texas to Hawaii (and possibly not being able to experience Hawaii freely (the culture, people and the beautiful places)!
I just want the local businesses and hotels to survive this shutdown, there are a lot of people who’s losing their livelihood and businesses due to the shutdown! Hawaii needs to open back up very soon!
We cannot wait to go and support Hawaii!!
I think if we all stick to doing things that make common safety since we will be fine. Hard to live in a bubble do live with Aloha with each other thank you
Hi As a Travel agent in Colorado The majority of my clients are not traveling now. There is a pent up demand but no real action. The 15% or so who have traveled (mostly aged 45 to 65) have been satisfied by the airports and planes and the only problem spots are deplaning and baggage. Mask or no mask has not been a problem but all were hesitant to fly somewhere where a test might send you home. Thanks for all your great reporting, If Hawaii goes like Disney or Vegas you can expect a bull rush on Oct 15 and by Halloween next to nobody will be coming, that is looking like the new normal at least thru the end of the year.
Hi Tom.
That’s for that interesting information.
Aloha.
This site with it’s constant updates are invaluable. A huge mahalo for what you do!
So appreciated!
Hi Randy.
Thanks for your nice words. Much appreciated!
Aloha
The numbers above about the chance of getting the virus are great, but people need to wear their masks or wear them right (cover your nose too!). I was on a flight Wednesday and there was a guy ahead of me about 6 rows up who was a loud talker so he spoke forcefully. When we were about to take off, he took off his mask and talked until the flight attendants got up. I told a flight attendant and by the time they saw him, he had put on his mask. They made another announcement that everyone had to wear a mask except while actively drinking or eating. Well he didn’t hear the announcement because he was talking loud again with his mask off!!
I wouldn’t have felt safe next to him and would have said something to him.
Thanks for the information that you provide.
Hi David.
Thanks for that.
Aloha.
I am more concerned about services once we have arrived. I have a home on Maui but do not want to return until I can use the gym, go out to eat, and live normally. When will the Montage and Ritz Carlton reopen? What about West Maui restaurants?
Mahalo
Hi Debbie.
Definitely concur with your concerns. We don’t have the answers yet. Some things will open on the reopening date while we understand others may take additional time to be ready. We’ll report more as we hear.
Aloha.
Back in May already flew from Honolulu to the East Coast. To Asheville, North Carolina to be precise. Then at the end of July I flew back to Honolulu and did the 14-day self-quarantine. A self-quarantine I managed in my studio apartment which admittedly has a small lani. A Lani that still has a fine view of the Ala Moana building, Magic Island, and even a great deal of the downtown skyline. Took some really spectacular sunset shots from that Lanai during my self-quarantine.
Next Thursday l will heading out to Asheville once more. l won’t be back to Honolulu until after the election. Will l take advantage of the testing option 🤔. Frankly no as from what I’ve read I don’t trust the reliability of the nasal swab test. As for anybody who’s such a hypochondriac they won’t get on a plane … just continue to shelter-in-place wherever that is.
As l do live in Honolulu l do have a roommate. Fortunately he was able to stay at his sisters during my self-quarantine. On the off-chance he is back to work down in Waikiki l would consider doing the test as that way he could just walk to work like he’s use to. Of course l suppose l would have to just 🤞 and the test doesn’t come back with a false positive ☹️. Maholo nui loa.
Hi Lucas.
Safe travels!
Aloha.
It is really a very thought through approach.Total incompetence. I personally think it is safe to fly and come to Maui. Unfortunately the people in charge seem to forget that there are vistors from other countries than the US Mainland. We are from Canada and after doing extensive reasearch I found out that our Test is not valid. Only a CDC approved test from a CLIA approved Lab is good. So no foreigners from other countries can visit. Bravo, Mr. Ige. Well done. Since one can not easily get a test in the USA in 72 hours there will not be many visitors and the Hawaian economy will not recover.
An airline captain recently told me he feels safer on an airplane than at the airport. Due to all international and probably all US flights have planes now with cross cabin ventilation that is replaced every 2-3 minutes.