I recently took my first international trip during the pandemic, on an assignment for TravelAge West Magazine to report on new safety protocols at the luxurious all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun resort. In addition to experiencing the “new normal” at the hotel, this Mexico trip also gave me a chance to see what it’s like to fly in and out of the Cancun airport. (You can read about my first international flight during the pandemic by clicking here.)
To be sure, now is not a time when everyone should be traveling. But for those who are curious about what it might be when you do start planning that next Mexico vacation, here is my inside scoop on the departure experience.
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AIRLINE TRAVEL TIPS: What I Learned While Flying During the Pandemic, And What You Need To Know
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THE FLIGHT: Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), American Airlines Airbus A321
THE DEPARTURE: First off, I should note that traveling today is not like it was before the pandemic. Even flight schedules can be unpredictable. For this trip, I was booked and confirmed on a nonstop flight from Cancun to New York City, but just about five days before my return flight, I received a notice that the flight was cancelled and I’d have to return via a connecting flight in Charlotte. Not the fastest way to get home, but I tried to stay positive and think of the fried pickle that I could have at the Carolina BBQ restaurant in the airport terminal during my layover.
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DON’T MISS: My First International Flight During the Pandemic
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Due to reduced schedules at the Cancun International Airport, American Airlines is operating out of Terminal 4 now (as are all international flights on all airlines, apparently). All staff and passengers must wear a face mask when inside the airline terminal.
The terminal is modern and bustling, but the check-in process was easy. American Airlines doesn’t allow check-ins via the app for flights from Cancun, so I used a kiosk and, since I had no bag to check, I didn’t need to wait in any check-in line. The automated check-in does ask some new questions, however — including whether I’d visited Brazil, China, Iran or Europe within the previous 14 days, and whether I’d agree to wear a face covering onboard and have not had symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.
If you’re hungry or thirsty before the security area, there’s a Starbucks, a Guacamole Grill and a convenience store near the check-in area, and all were open.
Another thing that’s changed: There was a bit of a crowd just before the security checkpoint, as officials now require passengers to fill out a new form asking about your recent travels, health and if you’ve been around anyone with COVID-19. I saw some people filling out paper forms, which I assume they got during check-in at the counter. Since I’d checked in at a kiosk, I had to scan a QR code with my cell phone and fill it out on my phone. A security person then scanned my cell screen right after he scanned my boarding pass. (If you’re staying at a hotel like the Hyatt Ziva Cancun where I was, you can do yourself a favor and scan the QR code and fill out the form before you leave the hotel; unfortunately I forgot to do so.) The security line took about 10 minutes.
I’d estimate that more than 80% of the stores and restaurants are open in Terminal 4, so there’s a good selection of food, beverage and gift ideas — although the Cancun International Airport is, unfortunately, notorious for its horrendously jacked-up prices for common items like bottled water and snacks. You can’t bring water through security so you’re kind of trapped with those prices, but if you want snacks for the plane, you should buy them somewhere — anywhere — else before arriving at the airport, unless you have a hankering for $5 pretzels.
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LIFE LESSONS: Travel Expert Jennine Cohen on Travel & Life During the Pandemic
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THE FLIGHT: The American Airlines Airbus A321 was quite full, and I sat in an exit row seat with lots of leg room. All passengers and flight crew are required to wear a face mask throughout the flight. As we boarded, flight attendants distributed a paper snack bag with a small bottle of water, a Biscoff cookie pack (which I love) and a small hand sanitizer wipe. There was no inflight beverage service, although we were informed that we could request anything we needed. Inflight entertainment was provided via the American Airlines app on our own personal devices; the aircraft had no individual screens.
THE ARRIVAL: We arrived at Charlotte Douglas International Airport a bit early, and there was no line for Global Entry processing. Unfortunately my connecting flight to New York City was delayed by an hour, which gave me plenty of time to eat barbecue and a fried pickle (aren’t you impressed with my healthy eating?). Before boarding the flight to New York City, all passengers were required to complete a form about whether we’d been in one of the states designated as a hotspot by New York State (which would require a 14-day self quarantine). I had been in North Carolina for less than 24 hours, so that didn’t put me in that category.