Democrats are more worried about getting the coronavirus while on board an airplane, according to a Franklin Templeton-Gallup poll released Thursday.
Roughly 6 in 10 Democrats, or 59%, said they would not be comfortable flying at all during the pandemic, compared with about 4 in 10 Republicans, or 42%. Independents lean more toward Democrats’ views, at 54%.
Overall, about half, or 52%, who flew at least once a year before the pandemic said they would not be comfortable flying now.
Older people are much more worried about flying: Sixty-nine percent aged 55 and older said they would not be comfortable flying, compared with 33% of those aged 18 to 34.
The coronavirus has drained billions of dollars in revenue from the air travel industry as many travelers have opted to drive instead of fly to their destination or not travel at all. Revenues for 2020 are projected to fall 50% to $419 billion from $838 billion in 2019, according to the International Air Transport Association, a trade association for the world’s airlines.
Some that lost revenue could be recouped as some travelers are willing to pay more to lower their level of discomfort with flying, according to the Franklin Templeton-Gallup poll.
Over half of the respondents would pay extra to ensure that the seat next to them is empty on their next flight.
These poll results are based on more than 10,000 web-based surveys completed from July 2-14.
