More about Airline Safety Protocols That Cost This Holiday Season Travelers Care

According to a new survey by The Points Man, consumers planning trips for the upcoming holiday season are putting airline health and safety protocols and flexibility before cost.

"Thirty-one percent of respondents said "strict on-board mask compliance" was of utmost importance, while 10 percent said "airlines follow proper cleaning protocols/aircraft cleaning frequency," 10 percent said "empty middle seats for distance travelers," with six percent citing "flexible cancellation policies.

Just one in five respondents (21 percent) noted that they were "concerned rather than individual health precautions about the price of airfare." According to the survey, the rest either don't know (16 percent) or have some other priority (6 percent),'

In general terms, the survey found that Generation Z (ages 18-23) and Millennials (ages 24-39) are most likely to travel at 30 percent and 24 percent respectively, for the coming holiday season."

In the meantime, respondents planning holiday trips "are more than twice as likely to drive as opposed to fly," with 90% being somewhat likely to drive as opposed to 42% being somewhat likely to fly. Just 18 percent of respondents said they would prefer train travel as somewhat likely."

Among those respondents planning summer trips, 38 percent said it would be their first since the initial outbreak of the pandemic.

"Melanie Lieberman, senior travel editor at The Points Guy, said, "With many travelers making their first trip since lockdown, it is important to make sure you're prepared, because the travel experience has changed significantly. "If your plane or train is overcrowded, you will want to have a back-up plan; follow social distance guidelines by staying at least six feet away from others; make sure you have all the necessities (masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes) packed; and understand the policies of cancellation and rebooking."

From Oct. 19-20, 2020, the study which was conducted by YouGov Plc on behalf of The Points Man, surveyed 1,414 adults.

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