Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 11, 2024 0:06:00 GMT
Why You Should Always Choose a Window Seat on a Plane During Flu Season (Virus-safe Travel Tips)- Updated June 9, 2024
Getting ready to fly during flu season? You may want to book your flight early for a good seat so you can avoid catching the sniffles. Research on the transmission of infectious illnesses and diseases on commercial aircraft have found that window seats are the safest seats from germs on a plane.
One seminal study on the subject was published by Emory University researchers in 2018. The researchers flew on 10 intercontinental flights to observe the rate of "virus shedding" and infection transmission among 1,540 passengers. By the end of the experiment, they identified a zone inside the cabin where viruses are most easily spread.
Sit in a Window Seat to Reduce Your Chances of Getting Sick
You can catch all kinds of viruses on a flight, including various strains of influenza, coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and more. Commercial planes are cramped, with hundreds of travelers all sharing the same recycled air for several hours. They are, unsurprisingly, breeding grounds for infectious illnesses. But some seats are deemed safer than others because they're further away from the zone with the highest risk.
The 2018 study said that window seats are best because they're the most isolated (other than in certain ultra-luxe first-class mini cabins). Window-side passengers are seated next to just one passenger, with seats separating them from the people in front and behind. Most importantly, they are furthest from the aisle, where crew and other passengers can frequently pass by.
It all has to do with your contact with other people. The researchers found that the closer passengers are to the aisle, the more likely they are to get up to visit the lavatory or move around. And the more they move, the higher their chances of coming into contact with germs. While about 80 percent of passengers in aisle seats ended up leaving their seats at least once during the flights in this study, only about half that number moved from their seat while sitting next to a window. Passengers in aisle seats had an average of 64 "contacts" with other passengers during a flight, making it the greatest contact space. Passengers in middle seats had 58 contacts, and those in window seats had just 12.
Choose a Seat at the Back of the Plane
Other health experts have said that sitting in the back of the plane could keep you healthy, too. A 2022 study on optimal plane seating to reduce covid transmission said that "the most dangerous seats are the seats next to the infectious passenger and the rows behind the infectious passenger." So, sitting in the last couple rows of the cabin prevents you from being breathed on from behind, because airflow generally moves forward and not backward — therefore, your chances of catching a contagious illness will be lower.
These Are the Safest Seats on an Airplane, According to Aviation Experts
More Ways to Protect Yourself From Germs While Traveling
Choosing a window seat in the back of the plane might be one of the best ways to keep from catching illnesses, but there are lots of smaller, more accessible precautions you can take to stay healthy on your travels. Of course, we know from the covid pandemic that masks work wonders. Even when there isn't a global pandemic, you should always pack a face covering to protect yourself and others. Also, wash your hands more frequently than you would at home, wipe down your armrest and seatback screen with an antibacterial wipe before touching them, and use sanitizer regularly. Maintain a healthy diet while traveling and drink plenty of water — even more before and after drinking alcohol. Now, may the odds of immunity be in your favor.
Getting ready to fly during flu season? You may want to book your flight early for a good seat so you can avoid catching the sniffles. Research on the transmission of infectious illnesses and diseases on commercial aircraft have found that window seats are the safest seats from germs on a plane.
One seminal study on the subject was published by Emory University researchers in 2018. The researchers flew on 10 intercontinental flights to observe the rate of "virus shedding" and infection transmission among 1,540 passengers. By the end of the experiment, they identified a zone inside the cabin where viruses are most easily spread.
Sit in a Window Seat to Reduce Your Chances of Getting Sick
You can catch all kinds of viruses on a flight, including various strains of influenza, coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and more. Commercial planes are cramped, with hundreds of travelers all sharing the same recycled air for several hours. They are, unsurprisingly, breeding grounds for infectious illnesses. But some seats are deemed safer than others because they're further away from the zone with the highest risk.
The 2018 study said that window seats are best because they're the most isolated (other than in certain ultra-luxe first-class mini cabins). Window-side passengers are seated next to just one passenger, with seats separating them from the people in front and behind. Most importantly, they are furthest from the aisle, where crew and other passengers can frequently pass by.
It all has to do with your contact with other people. The researchers found that the closer passengers are to the aisle, the more likely they are to get up to visit the lavatory or move around. And the more they move, the higher their chances of coming into contact with germs. While about 80 percent of passengers in aisle seats ended up leaving their seats at least once during the flights in this study, only about half that number moved from their seat while sitting next to a window. Passengers in aisle seats had an average of 64 "contacts" with other passengers during a flight, making it the greatest contact space. Passengers in middle seats had 58 contacts, and those in window seats had just 12.
Choose a Seat at the Back of the Plane
Other health experts have said that sitting in the back of the plane could keep you healthy, too. A 2022 study on optimal plane seating to reduce covid transmission said that "the most dangerous seats are the seats next to the infectious passenger and the rows behind the infectious passenger." So, sitting in the last couple rows of the cabin prevents you from being breathed on from behind, because airflow generally moves forward and not backward — therefore, your chances of catching a contagious illness will be lower.
These Are the Safest Seats on an Airplane, According to Aviation Experts
More Ways to Protect Yourself From Germs While Traveling
Choosing a window seat in the back of the plane might be one of the best ways to keep from catching illnesses, but there are lots of smaller, more accessible precautions you can take to stay healthy on your travels. Of course, we know from the covid pandemic that masks work wonders. Even when there isn't a global pandemic, you should always pack a face covering to protect yourself and others. Also, wash your hands more frequently than you would at home, wipe down your armrest and seatback screen with an antibacterial wipe before touching them, and use sanitizer regularly. Maintain a healthy diet while traveling and drink plenty of water — even more before and after drinking alcohol. Now, may the odds of immunity be in your favor.