Wondering Where You Can Travel? Check Out These Maps
Joe Cortez September 03, 2020
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines and travel organizations still want to help travelers plan safe trips as conditions allow. While United Airlines rolled out a domestic travel restriction map, the IATA offers a global map to help flyers determine where they can go – and what they need to do when they arrive.
Throughout history, there has been no time worse on travel than the period under the COVID-19 pandemic. With states and nations insisting on different requirements for visitors, even planning a trip when a vaccine becomes available may be difficult, at best.
For those who still have wanderlust and want to attempt to travel, two new interactive maps could help you find a new destination. United Airlines launched a map showing travel restrictions in the United States, while the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) offers flyers an international guide to local COVID-19 regulations.
Domestic and International Maps Show Local Regulations for Arrivals
Each map shows different requirements for flyers who plan on arriving, depending on where you are going. With the United map, flyers can see which states are open for travel, which ones are not, and which have entry restrictions. At the time of publication, the United map shows 12 states that are open with restrictions, including Connecticut, Illinois, New York and Washington state.
“We know it’s a challenge to keep up with the ever-changing list of travel restrictions, policies and regulations so we are offering a simple, easy tool that helps customers decide where to travel next,” Linda Jojo, executive vice president for technology and Chief Digital Officer for United, staid in a press release. “By providing the most up-to-date information on the destinations we serve, customers can compare and shop for travel with greater confidence and help them find the destinations that best fit their preferences.”
For those who have more international aspirations, IATA offers a regularly-updated international regulation map for travelers and airlines. While most of the world is closing borders or subjecting flyers to quarantines upon arrival, international travelers can see exactly what the current conditions are at their final destination.
To come up with the guidance, the IATA is partnering with airlines and government agencies to constantly update the information. However, the information is constantly subject to change, and the IATA does not necessarily guarantee the information.
Maps Just One Step to Encourage New Travel
The two maps are just one example of how airlines are working to bring flyers back to aircraft and open up travel across the country and around the world. To encourage flyers to start booking airfare, the three legacy carriers – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – along with Alaska Airlines have dropped change fees for many of their tickets.
Even though these programs are new, it will take time to see if they are working. In the latest IATA air transportation data, both global and domestic travel were at incredible lows, with the trade organization expressing concern over the industry’s recovery.
It would be nice if the United Map included the District of Columbia. People can travel there and they have their own restrictions as well
Great idea, but does not go far enough. Should cover at least UK and all of the EU/Swiss area. The cost of doing testing would be vastly less than the operating losses currently. And they should do the 5 minute test...and do it at the departure airport. Yes, the 5 minute test is not quite as accurate as the PCR test, but it's far better than any quarantine (remember the quarantine has the person in contact with transport, hotels, meals inside the hotel etc). Trouble is that the so called "public health" officials seem to be the least imaginative people on the planet.
Thanks for the IATA travel map link. Very helpful.
United Airlines map has old information about flying to Hawaii. It says bars, restaurants are open. They are not. We are under a lockdown for at least another week. Even the beaches and all the parks, the hiking trails are closed. Most tourist spots and museums are closed. Visitors are NOT welcomed and if they come, they must stay in their hotel room for two weeks, having food delivered to their hotel rooms. I think it is irresponsible for United to not be transparent about this.