Thought I should report back on my flight to London. I’d say maybe 70% of passengers were masked, those passengers that weren’t were mostly British. The flight attendants weren’t masked.
In London there were quite a few masks at Heathrow (maybe 30%). On the tube it’s less than 20%, elsewhere almost non-existent. Pubs are busy, with more people than normal outside but it’s unusually nice weather for April (mid 60s and sunny) so that is playing a part too.
A survey that includes people who don’t use public transportation is unlikely to give results that are representative of what the travelers themselves think. If you are particularly worried about catching Covid them you are more likely to be staying at home than traveling.
3M Aura masks are amazing. Very comfortable, they have a soft piece of foam that covers your cheekbones and nose and create a very complete and soft seal. I’ve tried so many masks and these are the best, hands down. They also work for a variety of face sizes and have a little tab at the bottom that you can adjust easily. Everyone I’ve given one to has said it’s the most comfortable mask they’ve ever worn.
The best tip is that you should open up the package and unfold the mask from it’s flat form at least a day before you’ll wear it in order to air it out as the straps have a rubber band smell that’s significant for people who are sensitive to smells (like me!).
I use the POWECOM KN95s for day to day use (I use the small size and my teen boy uses the regular size). But we have used the Aura’s on two roundtrip long flights to Hawaii, and also just recently on two medium length flights. I’ve kept that mask on for 8 hours and I wear glasses. I get a box of ten of the Aura’s at Home Depot. (And the POWECOM KN95 masks from Bonafide Masks.)
The only reason I don’t wear them all the time is that most of the time I’m only going into a store for a few minutes and thus prefer the KN95 ear loop masks for off and on easiness. But the Aura’s are the best masks and I’ll always use them for flights or in a situation in which I’m concerned about lack of ventilation and I’m going to be indoors for a long time (I’m boosted but also high risk).
This is all very encouraging (if I get to travel) because all of the free government provided masks I grabbed at CVS are the 3M Aura. I could tell what a great seal it is. The main issue will be keeping the straps from tangling in my hair - I guess I will keep my scrunchie handy!
I flew with my mom yesterday. At EWR about 50% of people were masked. On the plane only 15% were masked. Luckily the young woman who sat next to us wore her mask the whole trip. I heard strangers talking with each other on the flight(trading spits with each other). Covid is over.
Anyone know what I can do here? Bought flights to Paris. Flight prices have dropped dramatically. Amx says if I reschedule (I tried) no credit for the $2000 difference. I can cancel for credit though. Anyone know if I can just turn around and use the credit to rebook? I will call and to ask but I’m unable to do so right now so thought I’d check with you all.
Yes, you can.
Trying to book my covid test when I return to the US next week from London. Flight is 11am in the morning, and biggest issue is that the day before I am at a convention all day long. hoping I can get an Antigen test, and not pay for the hour result PCR. Will I be allowed to use an antigen test to return to the US?
Yes
Apparently not with Virgin Atlantic. You forfeit any difference 
I use the Randox antigen tests (Pre-departure - Covid Randox). You can collect from a variety of places in London (for 11 pounds) and then use at your hotel. You don’t need to be supervised, you just take a photo of the test result in their app, then they send the certificate back.
We are in Vienna now. We flew to LHR on AA and then LHR-VIE on British Airways. Masks were optional on the AA flight. The fight attendants were not masked. Masks were optional at Heathrow but required on the BA flight to Vienna. On that flight the flight attendants wore surgical type masks and didn’t seem to care if they slipped under their noses.
Upon arrival in Vienna, after going through passport control we had to show our vaccination cards to some official. They didn’t look at them closely but just waved us through. Masks were required at the Vienna airport but optional at the hotel and the hotel didn’t ask for our vaccination cards. We went to the Belvedere Museum today and again masks were optional and no proof of vaccination required. We kept our masks on in the museum and it seemed that the majority of people in the museum were wearing them.
Our trip unexpectedly coincided with a lessening of restrictions both in the US and in Vienna. We’re trying to be cautious and feel our biggest risk is indoor dining. Our hotel includes a lovely breakfast buffet. This morning there was a family seated right by the buffet and the kids all seemed to be coughing and sneezing right as I made up my bowl of muesli. Fingers crossed we stay well, especially since we have to test negative to return to the US.
Going to Hawaii in a few weeks. I plan to mask up on the plane. I was using the standard Aura mask during past trips, I will be switching to the Aura mask with a Cool-Vent.
Smart plan. 
Those who don’t want to mask up on a plane should not complain.
San Diego just lifted the mask mandate on public transportation.
That means essentially a two hour daily ride without the ventilation of a plane. Hits those without cars or unable to drive.
At MSP airport today masks are a rare sight. My flight to Chicago is full. Looking back from row 2 of my SWA flight, I see actual faces. A few are masked up. The large majority are not. Flight crew is similarly unmasked.
Delta was only requiring NEW hires to be vaccinated. They were charging a surcharge on the employees’ health insurance if they weren’t vaccinated, but they just dropped that. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/13/delta-ends-200-health-insurance-surcharge-on-unvaccinated-employees.html
We are flying tomorrow. We will be masked.
What about allowing the banned people back on flights? I’m appalled. So what if they can take off their masks now? They weren’t willing to follow the rule when it was in place. It’s condoning bad behavior. I think they should share the list of names across all the airlines.
My first thought is these are the people who are going to give me the evil eye or word because I’ll be wearing mine…
By the time this drags through court, it won’t matter what the decision is. We pretty much moved on.