What International Travel Currently Looks Like

 

I’m fresh off my first “real” pandemic trip. I took a road trip to Sedona a month ago, but this trip included not only my first flight, but an international flight and a six-day trip. Let’s explore how it went!

The Airport Experience

LAX was about 25% full. Most restaurants were closed. Social distancing reminders were everywhere, and face masks were required. Travelers were complying, and regular face masks were very common – there weren’t many face shields.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska did a great job at not overbooking the flight. Beverage and food service was modified, but there were options. The flight was only two hours, so it was easy, and everyone wore their masks the entire time.

Travel to Mexico

There is a Level 4 Travel Advisory to Mexico, but it is important to read the details. It does not apply to certain tourist areas – especially in places with resorts, you feel very safe.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Towers

Their “Care Pledge” was spot on! From a walk through disinfecting machine for guests to limited reservations in the spa and cleaning products in the rooms, we felt very comfortable at the resort. And, since it wasn’t too full, we were never around crowds. Not all of their restaurants were open, and they had limited activities (naturally), but we didn’t miss them!

Solaz Resort Los Cabos

They also did a great job of letting you know their protocols. All staff wore masks, they had a little “clean kit” in the guest room, and they had a very rigid program in their gym (mainly because it wasn’t the largest gym) assisting them in keeping track of guests. The reminders were more sophisticated.

Overall takeaways

Most travel and hospitality companies are doing their part. That being said, it ultimately comes down to the social responsibility of the traveler. You, and we all, must do our part and help these companies by abiding by their new protocols. Ultimately, it is going to be a long, bumpy road to recovery, but we will get there.

If you have any specific questions, find me online and let me know!

Say Yes To Travel has a new episode every Thursday!

Say Yes to Travel with Sarah Dandashy

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

podcast
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Three)
January 15, 2026

Storytelling is changing fast, shaped by new platforms, shifting audiences, and a growing demand for authenticity. What started as traditional podcasting has evolved into community-driven ecosystems built on real voices and lived experience. In this landscape, storytelling isn’t just content—it’s a way to build connection, spark engagement, and drive meaningful change. When done well,…

Read More
education
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Two)
January 15, 2026

Education is at a crossroads. As AI, online learning, and workforce demands rapidly reshape how people gain skills, long-standing gaps in access and outcomes remain a major concern in Michigan. Recent reporting on the 2025 State of Education and Talent shows Michigan has fallen to its lowest ever ranking in per capita income, underscoring…

Read More
Ron Stefanski
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode One)
January 15, 2026

Education doesn’t change in neat, predictable cycles—it shifts when people start asking better questions. Over the past several years, those questions have become louder and more urgent, driven by workforce disruption, new technologies, and a growing demand for learning that actually prepares people for real life. At the same time, media itself has evolved, favoring…

Read More
supporting parents
Supporting Parents Is a Business Strategy: A CFO’s Perspective on Retention, Trust, and Long-Term Growth
January 14, 2026

Workplace flexibility has shifted from a culture debate to a retention lever—especially as more professionals are becoming parents later, right when they’re stepping into mid-management and executive-track roles. Childcare and caregiving logistics don’t just strain families; they strain talent pipelines, and the companies that treat parenting as a “personal issue” are often the same…

Read More