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I understand why the CDC recommends wearing a mask when out in public. I get it, and I support it. This isn’t a political issue for me.
Starting today, most U.S. airlines require that passengers wear a mask. Considering the close proximity of passengers and the apparent lack of blocking the middle seat, requiring masks is the right decision.
But I have a confession: I dread wearing a mask on my next flight. Why? I’m slightly claustrophobic, and wearing a mask makes me feel like I’m suffocating.
I’ve worn a mask a few times while grocery shopping. One trip was 45 minutes, and I was wearing a paper-type surgical mask purchased in Wal-Mart. By the time I was checking out, I could barely stand to be in the store. I felt like I was burning up and couldn’t breathe.
I tried a shorter trip with a cloth mask, but I had the same results. I couldn’t wait to get out of the store.
So, if I can’t handle a mask on a short store trip, how can I handle it on a flight?
I’m Not Giving Up Flying
All of our family trips this summer and fall have turned into road trips to alternative locations. So, I really don’t have to worry about it in the near future.
We do have plans to fly early next year. My hope is that the virus has disappeared by then, and there is no longer the requirement to wear a mask in public or on planes.
But, if that’s not the case, I will figure out how to get comfortable in a mask for flying. Because as much as I love Texas, I’ve already seen most of the state, and I dislike road trips.
I’m not asking to be an exception to the rule. I need to keep looking for a more comfortable, thinner mask. And in addition, I need to wear it more often so that I can get used to the feeling of my face being covered.
Does anyone else have this problem with masks? Does the thought of wearing a mask for a few hours on a plane fill you with dread? Have you found a mask that is more comfortable and less claustrophobic?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
It has been hell for me. I have anxiety 48 hours before boarding, and the entire flight is nerve-wracking. Perhaps I just have “hot breath”, but I feel as if I am suffocating, which is panic inducing.
At the beginning of the pandemic masks were not required, and then they determined that they were useful. So whilst determining that middle seats had to be empty for social distancing was a past regulation, keeping the mask regulation has persisted. (And of course I am vaccinated).
Most people don’t seem to mind it. Good for them. For me, it has been life changing and affected the way that I travel. And travel is not only necessary but what gave me life.
@Sarah I’m sorry it’s so difficult for you. I get it. I got used to wearing a mask and then I stopped wearing one this spring/summer after getting vaccinated. Now I’m wearing them again indoors and I feel like it’s an adjustment again. I’m about to get on an 8-hour flight and I’m dreading the mask part a bit.
Posting this from inflight Alaska wifi with supposed mask requirement.
Out of 40 or so passengers, at least 3-5 boarded without a mask (likely cited medical requirement), once on board, it is about 1 hour into the flight and about 10-15 people now have their mask pulled down. Every few minutes another mask falls down to the chin
There is no enforcement.
Even one of the airline attendends has the mask hanging loose on the chin
So don’t worry about mask policy. At least in America compliance and strict enforcement will be zero
@Greg Interesting! Thanks for sharing your experience in the air.
I feel exactly the same as you, slightly claustrophobic and just feel like I’m overheating when wearing anything over my mouth/face. I find that wearing a mask is making me much more likely to contract COVID 19 or any other virus, and more likely to spread it. With no mask I don’t touch my face when I’m in a store or on a plane. With a mask I’m touching my face every few minutes adjusting it or pulling it away to get a few breaths of fresh air. As soon a I cross the threshold of the door I take it off, before I even think about sanitizing my hands. When it comes time to fly I intend to take full advantage of the “except during meal service” clause. I will be the slowest eater in the history of flight.
@Mike The only problem is I think flights have all discontinued drinks and meals. 🙁
I agree – I also get a suffocating feeling wearing masks.I’ve experienced this in grocery stores and walking in city parks where it’s now required. It takes more effort to breath through the material. There’s also a feeling that the humidity absorbed by the mask as I exhale never dissipates. I take breaks by walking away from people and lowering it so i can breath normally before putting it back on again. In a plane that wouldn’t be possible.
@Ed I’m sorry you’re going through the same. 🙁
Why are people forced to wear clothes?
We are born naked but some two goody decided everyone should have to wear clothes all the time. Why?
What gives anyone the right to force others to behave and live like they want us to? I should be allowed to shake my dinga ling in front of anyone?
Or people should shut up and wear masks. So bloody choose one.
I hate hypocrisy. And america is full of hypocrites
No problem with masks here. I have allergies and asthma so I wear them often and always have a supply for trips. My Japanese partner has no trouble with it as masks are commonly used in Asia.
Do understand the claustrophobic feeling a bit as I have seen it with new divers when I was an active Divemaster. Some new divers could not handle a regulator in their mouth because it gave them a sense of claustrophobia to the point that they would actually remove it underwater in training. Panic makes people do strange and illogical things.
Try wearing a mask around the house for short and then increasingly longer periods to get comfortable with it. We used to take the mouthpieces off snorkels and have people keep them in their mouths for increasing periods as an exercise to get used to regulators. Same principle.
@AlohaDaveKennedy Thanks for the advice. I used to be a scuba diver, and I had the same issue. It took me a few minutes at the beginning of each dive to get used to the mask and regulator, but then I was ok. With these masks, I get worse as time goes on. But, I’m sure I can train for my next flight, if the masks are even still in use by then (hopefully this whole mess goes away!!)
You’re not used to it due to less oxygen. You need to keep wearing it and maybe wear it around the house for a few hrs. Then start going on long walks with it on (build up to 2-3 miles) to get in better cardio shape.
@Liz Thanks for the advice! I’ll likely need my kids to practice the same.
It’s bad 🙁
I HATE wearing a mask, and wearing it on a plane for 5 hours is AWFUL.
No question.
All for ‘security theater’
When the policy came out for Delta, I thought long and hard of canceling.
But, I’m flying every week, and enjoying the USA… so, I decided to suck it up.
It’s horrible. Smelly, stinky, awful. It’s definitely unhygienic.
But, it’s what the airlines demand, and I like flying around the USA now, so, ugh, I grin and bear it.
The world has gone mad, and normal citizens are paying the price for others who demand safety over freedom…