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‘People Are Getting in Planes’: The Travel Business Is Picking Up ‘People Are Getting in Planes’: The Travel Business Is Picking Up
(8 days later)
The nation’s largest airlines are preparing for a limited rebound next month as more Americans book vacations in places like Florida and the mountains and national parks in the West.The nation’s largest airlines are preparing for a limited rebound next month as more Americans book vacations in places like Florida and the mountains and national parks in the West.
That resurgence would offer some hope to the travel industry, which racked up billions of dollars in losses as tourists and businesspeople canceled trips in the last three months because of the coronavirus epidemic. Some in the industry said the recovery was now already underway.That resurgence would offer some hope to the travel industry, which racked up billions of dollars in losses as tourists and businesspeople canceled trips in the last three months because of the coronavirus epidemic. Some in the industry said the recovery was now already underway.
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort said it was enjoying brisk business after local officials last week lifted a coronavirus shutdown order that had been in place since March.The Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort said it was enjoying brisk business after local officials last week lifted a coronavirus shutdown order that had been in place since March.
The 1,594-room resort was about one-third full this weekend and is on track to be packed for the July Fourth weekend, said Phil Goldfarb, who oversees the Fontainebleau. But the visitors streaming in are not the ones he expected. In the summer, the hotel typically fills up largely with Florida residents. This year, the people booking rooms are coming from across the country.The 1,594-room resort was about one-third full this weekend and is on track to be packed for the July Fourth weekend, said Phil Goldfarb, who oversees the Fontainebleau. But the visitors streaming in are not the ones he expected. In the summer, the hotel typically fills up largely with Florida residents. This year, the people booking rooms are coming from across the country.
“California and Texas and New York and New Jersey are the top four markets, all before Florida,” said Mr. Goldfarb, president and chief operating officer of hospitality at Fontainebleau Development, which owns the hotel and other properties. “People are getting in planes and social distancing but coming here.”“California and Texas and New York and New Jersey are the top four markets, all before Florida,” said Mr. Goldfarb, president and chief operating officer of hospitality at Fontainebleau Development, which owns the hotel and other properties. “People are getting in planes and social distancing but coming here.”
After cratering in April, the number of travelers and airline and airport employees filtering through the Transportation Security Administration’s airport checkpoints has steadily climbed in recent weeks. The low point arrived on April 14, when the agency screened fewer than 90,000 people, just 4 percent of those screened the same date last year. On Sunday, the agency screened more than 440,000 people, about 17 percent of last year’s number and the best day since March.After cratering in April, the number of travelers and airline and airport employees filtering through the Transportation Security Administration’s airport checkpoints has steadily climbed in recent weeks. The low point arrived on April 14, when the agency screened fewer than 90,000 people, just 4 percent of those screened the same date last year. On Sunday, the agency screened more than 440,000 people, about 17 percent of last year’s number and the best day since March.
Investors appear to have noticed those numbers, and airline stock prices have surged. American Airlines is up nearly 90 percent since Monday morning last week, United Airlines is more than 70 percent higher, and Delta Air Lines is up more than 45 percent.Investors appear to have noticed those numbers, and airline stock prices have surged. American Airlines is up nearly 90 percent since Monday morning last week, United Airlines is more than 70 percent higher, and Delta Air Lines is up more than 45 percent.
Airlines say they are preparing to capitalize on the renewed interest in travel. Late last week, for example, American announced that its July flight schedule would be the most robust since the pandemic began, largely because of domestic bookings by people eager to get out after sheltering at home for months.Airlines say they are preparing to capitalize on the renewed interest in travel. Late last week, for example, American announced that its July flight schedule would be the most robust since the pandemic began, largely because of domestic bookings by people eager to get out after sheltering at home for months.
American plans to add flights from its hubs, including Dallas, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., to destinations like Asheville, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C. It also said it would significantly increase flights to Florida and seasonal destinations in Montana, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.American plans to add flights from its hubs, including Dallas, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., to destinations like Asheville, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C. It also said it would significantly increase flights to Florida and seasonal destinations in Montana, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
“We’re seeing a slow but steady rise in domestic demand,” Vasu Raja, American’s senior vice president of network strategy, said in a statement. “After a careful review of data, we’ve built a July schedule to match.”“We’re seeing a slow but steady rise in domestic demand,” Vasu Raja, American’s senior vice president of network strategy, said in a statement. “After a careful review of data, we’ve built a July schedule to match.”
American plans to operate about 55 percent as many domestic flights as it did last July. That would be up from just 20 percent in May.American plans to operate about 55 percent as many domestic flights as it did last July. That would be up from just 20 percent in May.
United is planning for a similar, if somewhat smaller, rebound. The airline said it will add flights to New York, Boston, Seattle and Philadelphia next month to serve commercial and governmental travel. It also plans to add flights to reopening vacation destinations, including Las Vegas; Portland, Maine; Aspen, Colo.; and Jackson, Wyo.United is planning for a similar, if somewhat smaller, rebound. The airline said it will add flights to New York, Boston, Seattle and Philadelphia next month to serve commercial and governmental travel. It also plans to add flights to reopening vacation destinations, including Las Vegas; Portland, Maine; Aspen, Colo.; and Jackson, Wyo.
Delta expects to fly twice as many passengers next month as it did in May, its chief executive, Ed Bastian, said.Delta expects to fly twice as many passengers next month as it did in May, its chief executive, Ed Bastian, said.
“I think leisure will come back first,” Mr. Bastian said in an interview broadcast last week by Business Travel News. “We already see it. You look at the areas that we have the greatest demand currently: Florida has got a fair bit of demand. The mountain states have a fair bit of demand. Arizona, another Sun Belt area, has got a fair bit of demand. Places where people feel like they can go to escape the virus for a bit.”“I think leisure will come back first,” Mr. Bastian said in an interview broadcast last week by Business Travel News. “We already see it. You look at the areas that we have the greatest demand currently: Florida has got a fair bit of demand. The mountain states have a fair bit of demand. Arizona, another Sun Belt area, has got a fair bit of demand. Places where people feel like they can go to escape the virus for a bit.”
Montana is among the states that stand to benefit from the expanded service, with American planning to nearly double the daily flights there in July. Some of those will arrive at Glacier Park International Airport, just outside Glacier National Park and a short drive from Great Northern Resort, which includes a 14-room hotel and five cabins.Montana is among the states that stand to benefit from the expanded service, with American planning to nearly double the daily flights there in July. Some of those will arrive at Glacier Park International Airport, just outside Glacier National Park and a short drive from Great Northern Resort, which includes a 14-room hotel and five cabins.
The resort fielded cancellation calls for months as the pandemic spread, but things started to look up after the national park announced that it would begin reopening on Monday this week, said Catherine Beers, who owns the resort with several members of her family.The resort fielded cancellation calls for months as the pandemic spread, but things started to look up after the national park announced that it would begin reopening on Monday this week, said Catherine Beers, who owns the resort with several members of her family.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
In May, the resort is typically about half full, Ms. Beers said, but this year it hosted only two couples all month, both locals. Since then, the cancellation calls have subsided, and the hotel is about 80 percent booked for July and August, months when it usually has no vacancies.In May, the resort is typically about half full, Ms. Beers said, but this year it hosted only two couples all month, both locals. Since then, the cancellation calls have subsided, and the hotel is about 80 percent booked for July and August, months when it usually has no vacancies.
More of her incoming calls are from people interested in booking a room or cabin because they are seeking out a destination where they can spread out.More of her incoming calls are from people interested in booking a room or cabin because they are seeking out a destination where they can spread out.
“If you go to the grocery stores, there are people and you do have to stand on the stickers, but once you get out on the edges of bigger cities it’s so easy to be distant from people,” Ms. Beers said.“If you go to the grocery stores, there are people and you do have to stand on the stickers, but once you get out on the edges of bigger cities it’s so easy to be distant from people,” Ms. Beers said.
But even as the Great Northern Resort and the Fontainebleau provide early signs for optimism, the airline industry’s reckoning is far from over.But even as the Great Northern Resort and the Fontainebleau provide early signs for optimism, the airline industry’s reckoning is far from over.
Industry executives and analysts generally agree that it is likely to be several years before airlines fly as many people as they did before the pandemic. Airlines are still losing tens of millions of dollars every day. That number is shrinking, but the losses are expected to continue through the end of the year. Generally, a flight needs to be about three-fourths full for an airline to turn a profit, but most are far from it because airlines can’t or won’t fill up planes.Industry executives and analysts generally agree that it is likely to be several years before airlines fly as many people as they did before the pandemic. Airlines are still losing tens of millions of dollars every day. That number is shrinking, but the losses are expected to continue through the end of the year. Generally, a flight needs to be about three-fourths full for an airline to turn a profit, but most are far from it because airlines can’t or won’t fill up planes.
And while some people are willing to fly, much of the traveling public is still wary of getting on a plane, especially as reports of packed cabins and lax enforcement of distancing policies abound. Two-thirds of those polled by The Wall Street Journal and NBC News recently said they were uncomfortable with the idea of getting on a plane. More than half of several hundred epidemiologists surveyed by The New York Times said they wouldn’t board a plane until next spring at the earliest.And while some people are willing to fly, much of the traveling public is still wary of getting on a plane, especially as reports of packed cabins and lax enforcement of distancing policies abound. Two-thirds of those polled by The Wall Street Journal and NBC News recently said they were uncomfortable with the idea of getting on a plane. More than half of several hundred epidemiologists surveyed by The New York Times said they wouldn’t board a plane until next spring at the earliest.
And international travel, a smaller but more lucrative part of the aviation business, remains depressed and most likely will be for quite some time. Business travel also appears weak and unlikely to rebound quickly, because corporations are cutting costs and avoiding sending employees on trips unless they absolutely need to.And international travel, a smaller but more lucrative part of the aviation business, remains depressed and most likely will be for quite some time. Business travel also appears weak and unlikely to rebound quickly, because corporations are cutting costs and avoiding sending employees on trips unless they absolutely need to.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the airline industry is that its nascent recovery could be snuffed out if coronavirus infections and deaths surge again, especially if people stop taking health precautions as they start moving around the country this summer.Perhaps the biggest concern for the airline industry is that its nascent recovery could be snuffed out if coronavirus infections and deaths surge again, especially if people stop taking health precautions as they start moving around the country this summer.