KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WATE) – A new survey shows the rise in the COVID-19 delta variant has increased concern among people considering air travel. The survey was commissioned by Points Guy, which is a travel website. Nearly 2,400 adults fully or unvaccinated against COVID were asked about their travel plans.

Overall, the survey shows that vaccinated adults feel much less comfortable when surrounded by large groups of people. As the survey asked questions related to travel, various outdoor and indoor entertainment activities are starting to worry people. Recently, the European Union decided to remove the United States from its list of safe countries for non-essential travel due to concerns about the fast-spreading delta variant.

Doctors and nurses facing a new wave of patients diagnosed with the delta variant of COVID-19 are having an effect on families and people considering air travel.

“We have found that potential travelers definitely feel anxious about flying and in some places even traveling to another city or town. People are less comfortable than before the emergence of the Delta variant, ”said Melanie Lieberman, travel editor for Points Guy.

In the survey, nearly half, 49%, of vaccinated travelers feel less comfortable flying in their country than before the delta variant epidemic, compared to 26% of unvaccinated travelers.

“Roughly overall, people who have been fully vaccinated are more likely to feel less comfortable than unvaccinated people who are more likely to say they felt less change in terms of their level. comfort, ”Lieberman said. “We are seeing an increase in new restrictions with the EU’s recent announcement that it recommended additional restrictions for US travelers. There is a lot of uncertainty with travel and a lot of people are reacting to that with a new one. level of discomfort than what we’ve seen throughout the pandemic and those feelings are coming back. ”

“There is certainly more comfort with domestic travel. People are not afraid of being stranded abroad. They don’t necessarily worry that their trips will be canceled outright, that they won’t be able to get to their destination. So that’s one of the reasons we see people turning to road travel, destination travel in national and state parks. These types of experiences provide more comfort to people.

The survey shows that 51% of millennial travelers, aged 25 to 40, are more likely than other generations to feel comfortable taking a domestic flight. This contrasts sharply with 29% of baby boomers who feel comfortable traveling. Delays and flight changes are often the result of fewer workers available due to the pandemic.

“These staff shortages affect so many aspects of the travel industry,” Lieberman said. “One of the reasons we encourage travelers to manage their expectations.

Over the coming Labor Day long weekend, if you are booking air travel, it is very important that you do your research. Think carefully about planning a flexible travel plan that can be changed as needed.

We all feel comfortable knowing that our trip is protected. So be sure to read the fine print to know when you can cancel this trip in order to get your money back.