COVID-19 MEASURES

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid travel if possible, but that those who are fully vaccinated can safely travel within the United States. The CDC recommends avoiding travel to a number of international destinations with high COVID-19 levels, listed at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ noticescovid19.

Masks are still federally required in airports and on planes, as well as on buses, trains and other forms of public transportation through Jan. 18.

Major carriers including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines have discontinued many of their change fees, making it easier for people to change their travel plans.

WHAT TO PACK

■ Bring a mask, since masks are required in the airport and on planes. For a multiday trip, bring an extra mask or two in case you lose one, or cough or sneeze into one. Hartsfield-jackson will provide a free mask on request at the main security checkpoint if you forget yours.

■ The Transportation Security Administration allows extra flexibility for hand sanitizer, permitting one bottle of up to 12 oz. of hand sanitizer per passenger in carry-on bags. You will need to allow extra time at security for the bottle to be screened separately, since it’s larger than the typical limit of 3.4 oz. on other liquids.

■ You can also bring disinfecting wipes in carry-on bags to wipe down surfaces in the airport or on the plane, if desired.

■ Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are also permitted in checked bags.

■ If you have a vaccination card, consider bringing a copy of it with you or keeping an image of the card on your phone, in case any restaurants or venues you visit during your trip require it.

■ Make sure you don’t pack prohibited weapons or other items in your bags. You can check TSA’S website to learn what’s prohibited.

IN THE AIR

With federal law requiring airline passengers to wear masks on planes and in airports, those who refuse to wear a mask will not be permitted through security checkpoints and may be subject to a civil penalty, according to TSA. Major airlines are banning passengers who refuse to comply. If you are put on a no-fly list for not wearing a mask on the plane, it could jeopardize your ability to get on a connecting flight or take your return flight home.

If you forget your mask, the airport can supply one to you at the main security checkpoint.

■ CABIN ENVIRONMENT: Delta is no longer blocking middle seats on its planes, and no longer boarding planes from back to front to minimize crowding in the aisles. The airline has returned to normal seating and boarding procedures.

Airlines have touted the role of HEPA filters and vertical air flows that limit the spread of particles among passengers on a plane.

Delta, Southwest and other airlines have stopped allowing longer emotional support animals in the cabin.

Delta now has two in-flight Wi-fi providers, Gogo and Viasat.

AT THE AIRPORT

Hartsfield-jackson may look a little different than you’re used to, with plexiglass dividers, social distancing markers, new facilities and some closed concessions amid the pandemic. But all concourses have reopened, after closures last year.

The airport has hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the terminal. Officials say public areas of the airport are being cleaned more frequently. Concessionaires and airlines have added more touchless options.

There are now upper-level pedestrian bridges connecting the domestic terminal to the upper levels of the Terminal South and Terminal North parking decks. Take elevators or stairs up from the parking decks to reach the pedestrian bridges that connect to the terminal.

Airport officials suggest passengers consider walking to their concourse through the underground walkways instead of taking the Plane Train people-mover, to avoid crowds and reduce congestion on the train. The airport’s Transportation Mall underground walkways have art and exhibits on display between concourses.

CONCESSIONS

While more than 80% of concessions locations at Hartsfield-jackson are now open, some restaurants and shops remain closed, and airlines have changed their in-flight service amid the pandemic. So consider bringing protein bars or other snacks or food for your trip, while keeping in mind the limits on liquids.

If you plan to buy food in the domestic terminal before going through security, be aware that you cannot bring liquids of more than 3.4 oz. through the security checkpoint and officers may ask travelers to separate some food from carry-ons for screening in X-ray machines.

Although you can’t bring beverages through screening, you can bring an empty water bottle from home and fill it up at filling stations on the concourses, or if there are concessions open near your gate you can buy a beverage there after passing through security.

Hartsfield-jackson has information on its website on which concessions are open.

In the domestic terminal atrium, Starbucks, Popeyes, Burger King, TGI Fridays, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Piedmont Park Travelmart, Z Market and Atlanta Chophouse are open. Still closed are IHOP, Shane’s Rib Shack and Teriyaki Experience.

There is now an Xprescheck COVID-19 testing location at Hartsfield-jackson, on Concourse E. It was previously an Xpresspa location.