Flying will change forever after coronavirus – with mandatory masks, cough-blaming, slower boarding and pricey tickets – The Sun

THE world has grounded to a halt due to coronavirus, with airlines around the world being forced to stop the majority of their flights due to travel restrictions.

When people take to the skies once more, it is likely to be a very different experience, with more expensive tickets, slower boarding and even compulsory masks.

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While some countries are still operating reduced routes, such as across Europe and the US, people are no longer flying abroad on holiday.

Plane tickets are very likely to cost more after the lockdown is lifted and people travel once more, according to experts.

While this may eventually even out after an initial price spike, this depends on how many airlines avoid going bankrupt.

Airlines are struggling to make profit with many losing millions – and the less airlines there are, the less competition there is, meaning carriers can charge higher prices due to demand.

Planes may also be forced to fly with half empty cabins to obey social distancing laws. If the airline is only able to sell half of their tickets, then this could result in prices doubling to retain profits.

Joseph Mayfield, who has worked as flight attendant for 17 years and is president of the Transportation Workers Union of America told USA Today: "Flights are leaving with 40 people and coming back with five or six people."

Middle seats are now being left empty which could continue when flight schedules are back to normal.

Social distancing is expected to remain in place in other aspects of flying too.

Joseph added that passengers are having very different experiences on board, such as reduced food services and shorter conversations with crew.

Even boarding may take longer, with Delta trialling back-to-front boarding to reduce infection.

One more difficult part is shaming people who are caught coughing or sneezing.

Joseph said that while suffering from allergies, he was coughing more than usual, and felt "extremely uncomfortable" especially when questioned by other crew members.

Twenty-three year old flight attendant Darlene Sain told Gizmodo added that one passenger who coughed was given "icy stares" by their fellow travellers.

She explained: "The first thing you think is that they should start wearing a mask."

Masks may become compulsory for both crew and passengers in the future.

While western tourists rarely wear them, Asia communities often sport the masks while on public transport.

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Countries around the world are now making them mandatory to wear outside, with Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Singapore, Buenos Aires and India just a few with the new regulations.

This could eventually make its way onto planes, with cabins known to spread illnesses throughout due to the recycled air through the conditioning systems.

Airlines such as Southwest and American Airlines are now allowing crew to wear masks while working.

Wizz Air is looking into "all sorts of measures" when people begin to fly again, which could include protective gear for passengers.

Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi said they need to "make sure that people actually travel in masks to protect themselves and protect their fellow passengers".

There is some debate over whether they really work, but the World Health Organisation advisers are now examining research that suggests their wider use does help to combat coronavirus.

A study conducted by the University of East Anglia said evidence was not strong enough to recommend widespread use of masks in the general population.

But, it's researchers found "there is enough evidence to support vulnerable people using them for short periods when in temporary higher risk situations – such as on public transport, visiting shops or in healthcare settings".

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