A long-haul flight attendant explains where germs hide and why COVID masks are still a good idea.
ADVERTISEMENTThe start of fall means one thing to many of us: flu season. In search of endless summer, we chase the sun in search of warmth and daylight. Even though vacations are relaxing, countless people report getting sick after traveling by plane, even if they have disinfected everything in sight.
Today, a long-haul flight attendant took to Reddit to give travelers tips on how to stay healthy during their plane trip.
Here's everything you need to know about unexpected places germs hide and how you can avoid getting sick on your next flight.
What are the dirtiest places on planes?
The Reddit user and flight attendant, who goes by HausOfDarling on the platform, posted in an r/AskReddit thread about some of the dirtiest places on a plane.
“I ALWAYS recommend that you never, ever, EVER use or put anything in the seat pocket. They are cleared of trash but never ‘cleaned’,” they wrote.
To add to the horror, the user compiled a list of nasty things that cleaning crews removed from these little pockets, including “dirty tissues, sick bags, panties, socks” as well as ” chewing gum, half-sucked candies, apple cores.”
It's something few of us will think about, but a lack of cleaning means that other people's germs can easily transfer to your belongings as they share space in the seat pocket.
For example, if someone coughs on their cell phone and then puts it in their pocket, many germs will remain there. When you place your own phone in the same place, these germs could make their way to your hands in seconds.
With the rapid turnover of flights, large parts of planes are likely to harbor germs, despite the best efforts of cleaning staff.
Everywhere, from safety instruction sheets – often stored in seat pockets – to tray tables and toilets, there is its share of dirt.
In fact, Insider magazine reported horrific results on swab tests conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The results showed that some seat head restraints were teeming with staphylococci, E. coli and hemolytic bacteria, all germs that can cause the flu and other nasty bugs. The research also found that seat back pockets tested positive for aerobic bacteria and mold as well as coliform and E.coli.
Cabin crew also warned that as well as instruction sheets, tray tables and toilets – all pretty obvious – overhead compartments and seat covers can also store invisible dirt.
The solution? Travel with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
How can I protect myself from germs during a flight?
Before you sit down, place your bags in the overhead compartment, then clean your hands immediately.
When you are seated, read the safety card and then wipe it to keep it clean for the next passenger. Use more hand sanitizer before eating or drinking anything on your tray; wiping it won't hurt either.
ADVERTISEMENTWhen going to the toilet, it is important to remember that the toilet itself is cleaned regularly, but not the locks and door handles. Wash your hands thoroughly before you leave, then use more sanitizer when you return to your seat to ensure you eliminate as many germs as possible.
Cabin crew say seat covers are more likely to have been cleaned, but that's not a guarantee.
If you're a true germaphobe, you might want to consider investing in a disposable or reusable seat cover before you fly.
Does recirculated air on planes make me sick?
Although we've all heard horror stories about recirculated air on airplanes causing illness, it's not that simple.
ADVERTISEMENTAccording to a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the quality of air provided on board an aircraft is much better than in most indoor environments.
“The risk of transmission in the modern cabin environment is low for a number of reasons: passengers face the same direction, seat backs act as barriers, airflow is from top to top low and the air is also very clean,” explains IATA.
In fact, cabin air is typically changed 20 to 30 times per hour, about 10 times more often than in most office buildings.
High-efficiency particulate air filters – or HEPA – make up half of the air on board, with fresh air making up the other 50%.
ADVERTISEMENTCurrently, HEPA filters are estimated to have an efficiency rate of 99.993% in eliminating bacteria and viruses.
Airflow direction is also a factor to consider in airplanes. On all planes, steering is up and down, not the length of the plane, which means you won't be breathing in other people's germs for the duration of the flight.
Should I wear a mask on a plane?
Even though the days of mandatory masks on planes, a legacy of the COVID-19 era, seem to be in the distant past, people still choose to wear them on board flights.
But why? Crowded airports and airplane cabins without free seats could contribute to sickening people, especially those with weakened immune systems. No matter how careful you are, how much disinfectant you use, and how much distance you put between you and that coughing person, germs may be able to make their way to you.
ADVERTISEMENTWith this in mind, experts suggest it's worth considering wearing a face mask if you're worried about catching a bug while traveling.
“If you want to avoid a respiratory viral infection, you need to wear a mask and wash your hands frequently,” Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at Mount Sinai Health System, told AusAir, a company filtration.
Not all masks are equal, experts say. While we all know by now that cloth face coverings aren't the most effective, not all of the readily available variations are particularly great either.
N95 and KN95 masks are often considered the best options, especially because they offer high filtration capacity as well as a snug fit over the nose and mouth.
ADVERTISEMENTIf you're the only person on your flight wearing a mask, you'll still be protected and, thanks to the air filtration system on board, you may actually pick up fewer germs than on the ground.
So if you're considering masking up for your next flight, don't abandon your face covering at the airport but wait until you're in the fresh air to breathe deeply again. And whatever you do, remember to make hand sanitizer your best friend for the duration of your trip.
