The hysteria around the Coronavirus continues unabated, with my compatriots in Australia going stark raving mad and stockpiling toilet paper of all things. Meanwhile, I booked flights on the weekend, apparently flying in the face of all reason.
Airlines such as British Airways and Aer Lingus are offering change fee waivers on all new reservations. Deeply discounted ticket sales are on, with Qantas charging an unheard of A$225 return for Brisbane to Christchurch for example. All of this is to try to stimulate demand, which has pretty much collapsed in some regions.
I Booked Flights And Haven’t Cancelled Any
My next trip is before Easter and it is all set and paid for. In fact, I’m still contemplating upgrading one of my sectors to business class for a small fee. I’m not in a high risk group for Covid-19, so I am unconcerned and will travel as scheduled.
It is probable that the whole Coronavirus scare will be short term. Previous outbreaks such as SARS and Bird Flu usually peaked in one to three months and then air traffic returned to normal within six months. There is no reason to believe things will be different this time around and today it is being reported new cases in China are at their lowest level, so things could be on the turn there already.
Therefore, on the weekend I booked flights. Prices are generally very reasonable and who am I to say no to competitive fares? You may as well get in while you have the chance, because in all likelihood this won’t last much longer.
Overall Thoughts
Of course, I booked flights to places that aren’t currently under quarantine so the risk to me personally is quite low. Everyone is entitled to their own reaction to Coronavirus, so if you are one to immediately cancel all travel and hide in your house with a tin foil hat on surrounded by toilet paper, then have at it.
Everyone should asses the risk personally to them and make their own informed decision. Automatically reacting due to media reporting and without checking the facts is perhaps not the best way to do things. Airlines are doing the right thing by cancelling services, because flying empty aircraft is a financial and environmental disaster. How quickly these will be restored is anyone’s guess.
Have you booked flights recently or have you cancelled your travel plans? I’d be interested to hear your opinion. Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Toilet paper, eh? I suppose that’s par for the crazy course. Caution is prudent but fear run amok doesn’t help anyone. I just hope my convention in Las Vegas holds up at the end of the month, given the current current of lunacy that’s so prevalent. Thanks for a touch of reason.
It’s utterly mad. Sure, caution I understand, but stockpiling toilet paper for the forthcoming apocalypse is both amusing and sad at the same time. Hope your convention goes ahead!!
Oh I did. STL-MWA-STL on the 16th just to try out the Tecnam Traveller. $74 R/T. 4 hours altogether. LOVE the paranoia, as far as fares go.
Apparently it’s halcyon days for people using staff travel on airlines too, as there’s plenty of availability for them to do where they want! Good move that you made that booking! A friend mentioned Hawaii was 25% cheaper than usual too.
Puerto Rico is even better. I went a few years ago and one of the fancier hotel/casinos I checked was just shy of $400 a night. Last week it was $150. And airfares are about the same percentage lower as well.
Crazy… and it should stay like this for a bit, judging from some of the airline moves over the past little while! Time to make hay while the sun shines…
And spin that straw into gold. Or something,
Hahaha!