The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life as we know it, and nowhere is this more evident than in the world of air travel. As countries around the world struggle to contain the spread of the virus, the experience of flying has been transformed in ways that few could have imagined just a year ago. What was once a routine part of life, a way to connect with friends and family or explore new destinations, has become a source of anxiety, stress, and uncertainty for many.

From mandatory mask requirements to temperature checks and health declarations, the measures put in place to make air travel safer have added new layers of complexity and inconvenience to an already stressful experience. For many travelers, the prospect of being trapped in an enclosed space with potentially infected strangers for hours on end is simply too much to bear, leading to a sharp drop in demand for flights.

But even for those who do choose to fly, the experience is far from what it used to be. The once-bustling airports are now eerily quiet, with many shops and restaurants shuttered and far fewer travelers milling about. Boarding processes have been overhauled to minimize contact between passengers, while in-flight service has been drastically scaled back to reduce the risk of transmission.

These changes have led some to wonder whether air travel as we know it is a thing of the past. Will the industry ever fully recover from the pandemic, or will the new normal of air travel be a never-ending nightmare of masks, tests, and restrictions?

To find out, I spoke with experts in the field of aviation and travel to get their take on what the future of air travel might hold. While there is no doubt that the industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, there is reason to believe that it will eventually recover, albeit in a different form than before.

One factor that could drive the recovery of the aviation industry is the simple fact that humans are social creatures who crave connection and adventure. Despite the risks and inconveniences of flying during a pandemic, many people are still eager to explore new places and reconnect with loved ones who live far away. As vaccines become more widely available and the world begins to open up again, demand for air travel is likely to increase.

But it’s not just leisure travel that will drive the industry’s recovery. Business travel, which has been all but nonexistent during the pandemic, is expected to rebound as companies resume in-person meetings and conferences. In fact, a recent survey of business travelers found that the vast majority (84%) are eager to get back on the road once it is safe to do so.

To meet the needs of these travelers, airlines and airports are investing in new technologies and procedures designed to make air travel safer and more efficient. From touchless check-in to UV-light disinfection systems, these innovations are intended to give travelers peace of mind and minimize the risk of transmission. Some airports are even piloting COVID-19 testing programs that allow passengers to skip quarantine requirements upon arrival, a move that could help to restore confidence in air travel.

Despite these efforts, however, there is no denying that the future of air travel will be different than it was before the pandemic. Some of the changes made in response to COVID-19 are likely to be permanent, such as the increased use of technology to minimize contact between passengers and the ongoing emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene. And while some travelers will no doubt return to the skies as soon as they can, others may opt to continue working remotely or choose alternative modes of transportation to avoid the risks and hassles of air travel.

The new normal of air travel may indeed be a never-ending nightmare for some, but for others, it will simply be a different way of experiencing the world. As the industry continues to adapt and evolve, it will be up to travelers to decide whether the benefits of