According to a new Harris survey, 48% of Americans say they
won’t be comfortable flying until the Covid-19 pandemic is over. The survey of
2,039 adults was conducted from May 1 to 3.
Harris also found that just 19% of respondents said their
opinion of airlines has improved during the pandemic, less than all other
industries it asked about except for real estate.
The poll, however, did reveal some good news for airlines.
Forty-one percent of respondents said they miss flying. And 28% said that a combination
of mandatory mask policies and additional safety and sanitation measures would
make them feel more comfortable about flying.
Among those who do plan to get back in the air in the next
three months, 41% are men while 26% are women. Forty percent of Gen Zs/Millennials
said they would fly during that time frame, compared with 37% of Gen X
respondents and 27% of baby boomers.
Air travel in the U.S. has dropped approximately 95% due to
the pandemic.