With the borders finally starting to gradually open, airlines and travel companies around the world are seeing a spike in bookings. Overall, it is predicted that it will take until 2023 for travel to return to pre-COVID-19 levels. But in the beginning, everything must start somewhere. I thought why not take my first trip now, to a place that has officially opened and has safety protocols in place.
The very first place that declared opening without restrictions on who can enter was my favorite country: Mexico. More specifically, the Quintana Roo province has opened, which includes Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Many parts on mainland Mexico, along with the Pacific coast, are still developing safety protocols.
Just getting down to Mexico was completely different. It was sad to see empty airports and not nearly as many flights as before. Here are the points that show how travel is pretty much at the restart stage:
Checking in for the flight
I checked in online 24 hours prior to departure through the Air Canada phone app. When checking in, I was asked a few questions to determine if I could have any symptoms of COVID-19, and whether I’m legally allowed to travel. There was also a message asking me to pay any checked baggage fees (if applicable) while checking in online, in order to be able to use their TouchFree Bag Check service.
I arrived at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport just a few minutes before 7:00, for a flight departing at 10:35 a.m. I usually arrive 2 hours prior, but it is now advised to arrive 4 hours prior due to enhanced security measures.
A security guard at the door asked me if I had a mask. I didn’t have one so he asked me to buy one at a shop on the right side.
I only entered the Air Canada check-in area after being given hand sanitizer by their friendly staff, and asked where I was flying to. I was told I can use their TouchFree Bag Service. It is a new service, which ensures a touchless experience at the airport. No need to pay the checked bag fees (if applicable) at the counter, as long as they were paid over online check-in, and no need to proceed to the counter in order to print my bag tag. My reservation included 1 checked bag, and I checked in online, so I was able to use this service. There were clear instructions on how to put the tag on the luggage. There have been new baggage drop-off belts for those who have checked in online and were able to print a bag tag. Unless you need help, you can drop off the bag yourself. I dropped off my bag and it confirmed that the bag is on its way to Cancun. This is a great way to minimize human contact, and it looks like this will probably be the new normal.
The check-in area I went to had all counters open, but the crowds looked nowhere as they used to be prior to COVID-19. Even in May when school is in session you would see bigger crowds in the morning rush hour for flights departing to the Caribbean, among other destinations. But this was on June 28, which is one of the more expensive summer travel days, because it is when everyone wants to take their kids on vacation after they finish school. All other check-in areas were closed, and the airport was empty in those areas, except for a currency exchange desk. Even some currency exchange desks in the terminal were not open, which is why there were 4 people waiting at that desk to change currency.
Once you leave the check-in area and head to the gates, they have hand sanitizer there.
Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport serves mostly Air Canada flights, and other than that, Star Alliance members. Looking at the confirmed flights, there were literally 57 flights departing between 07:50-21:30. Other than an Air India flight to Delhi, all of them were Air Canada. No delays or cancellations were forecasted.
Clearing security
Before entering the security lineup, a lady took my temperature with a thermal scanner. I stayed calm because I knew I didn’t have a fever. Then I went in the security line. There was no one in line, meanwhile just about 10 minutes earlier, there was a lineup. Security was fast, and the usual rules applied.
After finishing security, I was asked where I’m flying to and was directed to the international section. Walking there, the hallway was completely empty. I was literally the only one walking down the hallway that minute. Down that hallway, I passed 7 security guards who were standing, took a glimpse at me and didn’t say anything. They were probably checking if I was showing any symptoms of sickness.
Post-security
I arrived at the international gates in the E section at 7:45 am. In other words, the entire process from arrival to the gate, including changing currency, took about 45 minutes. The international section looked like a Business Class lounge. There were literally 2 food vendors open: a Relay shop that sells travel essentials and the terminal’s huge Duty-Free shop. Even the Tim Hortons by gate E80 was closed. I thought it was because it was too early in the day, however, I saw a sign that said “Open”, and had the 4 logos. I’m not sure if other vendors open towards the evening when more flights, or at least bigger jets, depart. But according to that sign, those were the only vendors open. Even Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge, along with all Plaza Premium Lounges, were closed.
There were very few people in the terminal. It felt like I must have run into no more than 200 people in total. The gate areas were empty, and the first flight departing was to Mexico City. There were probably less than 50 passengers waiting at the gate for boarding to start. What looked even more sad was, there were literally 7 international flights all day departing from the E section. This excludes USA flights. Those flights are in a separate concourse because customs must be done upon departure from Canada.
Food vendors open:
- Heirloom Bakery Café: their hot food menu starts at 11:00 a.m., and that’s including breakfast. They were selling stuff you would find at a convenience store such as cold wraps, water, drinks, chocolates and chips.
- Custom Built Burgers: they were the only ones serving breakfast. I had no choice but to get a breakfast burger and water. The combo and 2 water bottles came to $23.69 after taxes. I got a 2nd water because I figured I’ll bring my own water on the plane rather than drink from plastic cups which could have been reused. There was only 1 person there, who was multi-tasking between taking orders and payments, and making the food.
The airport has tablets which offer entertainment. One can play games while they wait for their flights, use social media sites, access newspapers, and more. All of them were functioning, however, every adjacent seat said “please leave this seat open”.
Boarding
I arrived at the gate at 10:00, as that was the time boarding was scheduled to start. They had already commenced with priority boarding. When I got to the gate, I counted 48 people at the gate.
Upon boarding, every passenger was provided with the CleanCare+ set that Air Canada introduced sometime in May, and started advertising it before starting to recommence flights in early June. The set included hand sanitizer, gloves, a mask and a bottle of water.
Boarding was complete at 10:28 and the plane pulled back from the gate at 10:32, which was 3 minutes ahead of schedule.
Onboard the flight
The middle seats were blocked in Economy Class. In Business Class, none of the seats were blocked because there are just 2 big seats with enough space in-between. If you take into consideration that the middle seats cannot be booked, the flight seemed pretty (or almost) full. Only 2 seats were vacant in Business Class.
I was surprised to see there was no in-flight magazine. The pocket in front of the seat had only the safety card and two sickness bags. I questioned a flight attendant, who looked in the pocket and said that it seems like they’re not offering the in-flight magazine at the moment.
There was no food or snack service provided during the flight. If anyone hadn’t eaten before leaving home or at the airport, they would’ve starved until after clearing customs and exiting Cancun International Airport. The only service that the cabin crew provided was another water bottle around 30-45 minutes before landing.
The entertainment system and Wi-Fi through the Air Canada app worked as usual. The prices for Wi-Fi were as usual. Overall, it was a decent flight.
Arrival
Arriving into Cancun International Airport wasn’t as usual either. Two out of the airport’s three terminals were completely closed. The one terminal that was in use had 7 planes in total at that time.
After disembarking the aircraft, a form was given asking questions about COVID-19. I must say that it seems they’re taking everything very seriously.
The form asked the date, which flight you arrived on, full name, email and phone number. Then it proceeded to ask which countries you have visited in the last 14 days, which cities/areas specifically, and when you departed that country. I wrote only Toronto, Canada and stated that I live there. It then asked if you’ve been in contact with someone who had been infected, and if yes, then on which date, and if you show any symptoms of COVID-19.
Arriving at customs, it seemed like Air Canada was the only international flight that had arrived at that time. The airport has social distancing signs in the lineups, as well as at the baggage claims. The wait time was only 5 minutes. I gave my entry card and COVID-19 questionnaire to the customs agent, and he just looked quickly, took the part that customs keeps, and gave me the rest of the forms back with the stamped passport. He didn’t ask me a single question. Considering how fast this process was, I waited 13 minutes at the baggage claim until the bags started coming.
My luggage had a sticker that said that the bag had been disinfected.
The airport exit where travelers normally find friends or family waiting for the passengers was full of securities standing and looking at everyone coming down the hall. It seemed just like in Toronto, where non-travelers are not allowed to enter the airport.
Overall, it was a great flight experience, and I was satisfied with Air Canada’s service. But seeing the airports almost empty, and Cancun airport having 2 terminals closed, I must say that it felt devastating. Just 4 months ago, travel was breaking the records and still continuing to grow, and now all of a sudden, a reset button has been pressed. I agree that it will take until 2023 to fully recover, but I hope to see some recovery with more flights resuming in the next few months, especially since many countries are starting to open their borders.
Vwry good informstion. Clear and concise.
Thank you.