KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City International Airport officials estimate a big drop in travel this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Projections show that roughly 180,000 people will travel in or out of KCI between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1, compared to about 400,000 travelers during that time frame in 2019.
San Diego resident Lori Gold had a layover at KCI Monday on her way to Atlanta to visit her daughter and grandchildren. Seeing family is a common reason for travelers this week.
"I miss my grandkids, so I'm going to go spend the holidays with them," Gold said.
Gold said she felt safe on her Southwest flight and liked that the middle seat was left open.
"It was actually a pleasure," she said. "It was very enjoyable, and it wasn't crowded and the plane was spotless. I didn't even think about the virus, and it was a great experience."
Gold said she's being proactive to stay safe and takes safety precautions, such as wearing a mask and washing her hands frequently. She said her family's Thanksgiving plans will be low key.
Kristel Bushner said she is traveling to California to see family members, and receives COVID-19 tests regularly. However, she said the idea of being on an airplane does make her nervous.
"I live out here alone, so usually it's not too much of a big deal to me, but when I go home and see my family I just want to make sure I'm safe and not bringing it back home to them," Bushner said.
Bushner said she works hard to keep her distance from others and washes her hands frequently.
The airport's travel projection is with blocked off seats in mind. Currently, Delta and Southwest are leaving middle seats open.
However, Southwest announced it will begin filling middle seats in December.
Delta announced it will continue leaving them empty until March 2021.
