Sep
9
Tomorrow I’ll be on a 5 hour flight and I was wondering….what are my chances of getting sick from being on this flight???
From my online research it appears that airplanes pose no more of a danger of germ exposure than a any other public place. But it would probably be a good idea to wash your hands often and drink plenty of water.
If someone sneezes near you that is most likely the most vulnerable situation you will be exposed to. The spay particles can easily enter your body via your nose or eyes, so avoid wiping or rubbing your eyes. If the person next to you is sneezing up a storm ask to be reseated. If they have room they will find another seat for you.
If you need a blanket grab one that is wrapped in plastic. That is the best way to ensure that you have a clean one. Blankets and pillows can go for long periods of time between cleaning. Pillow cases might be changed during overnight cleaning.
In 2004 the EPA tested the tap water quality in airplanes to see if it was contaminated. They found that 12.7% of the planes tested positive for total coliform bacteria. Most airlines use bottled water for their beverage service, but if bottled water runs who knows what they might use? I would suggest bringing bottled water on your flight. It will keep you hydrated and healthier.
As for the air on passenger planes, now that smoking is banned, it can be cleaner than in many tight new super insulated homes. Airlines have been know to reduce the amount of fresh air they feed to the cabin because doing so extracts heat, energy, from the engines. But it shouldn’t really make you sick, the basic filters they use should remove any infectious material. Many new aircraft are using HEPA filters to clean cabin air.
