What the Future of Air Travel Looks Like
After a year like 2020, it's a safe bet to say that air travel will never be the same again. In an industry that was impacted at every level, countless changes have already occurred in order for airlines to adapt and survive.
There's also renewed hope that the outbreak could soon wind down: Federal officials have approved a vaccine, and as of Monday, the first dose was administered in the U.S., kicking off a months-long campaign to inoculate the majority of the population. U.S. airlines, too, have already begun the complicated process of distributing the vaccines throughout the country. Even so, the ripples of this crisis will still be felt by both fliers and air carriers for years to come.
Here's a look at what the future of air travel holds—next year and beyond.
1. Long-haul flights will see new innovations
From virus-sniffing dogs in airports to new apps that process travelers' COVID-19 information and contact-tracing from airlines, the air travel industry is getting creative in order to restart long-haul flights. Delta, for one, is set to restart flights to Europe with a new test regimen, while new apps will make vaccination status and test results easier for border officials to read.
