As a frequent traveler, I'll admit that I have had plenty of doubts on planes about the freshness of the air pouring out of the vents.
But as it turns out, research and doctors agree that things, for the most part, aren’t as germy as they might seem.
The air filtration on planes actually ensures the air, even while being recycled, is cleaned regularly. Most airplane air goes through a HEPA filter that traps viruses and bacteria 20 to 30 times every hour.
According to the International Air Transport Association, filtered airplane air is cleaner than most indoor environments. "There is no more risk from 4 to 5 hours spent in an airplane cabin than 4 to 5 hours spent in an office, all other exposures being the same," a study in “Springer Nature” declared.
So no, you don’t have to worry about taking that deep inhale on a plane. Though, there may be some other risks to keep in mind when it comes to safeguarding your health during travel. Here's what you can do to protect yourself on your next plane ride.
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Know Your Risk
Your biggest risk when flying is not the cabin air. It’s the people seated near you.
"The cabin air itself is not the main problem," explains Frank Agullo, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon in El Paso, Texas, and a Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. With many of his patients flying in and out for surgery, Dr. Agullo says he is well-versed in the dos and don'ts of plane protection.
"Modern aircrafts run cabin air through HEPA filtration and exchange it on the order of 20 to 30 times an hour, which is a better turnover rate than most offices or restaurants," Dr. Agullo adds. "What raises risk is proximity to a specific sick person, and everything that happens on the ground."
Who's around you, as well as where you are traveling (international travelers tend to get sick more), are two of the largest components that can raise your risk of getting sick on an airplane. Anyone who is sick near you at any point during the travel process will be more of a risk to you than simply flying on the airplane, so stay alert.
Know your own risk for getting sick, such as if you have a compromised immune system, and be aware of anyone near you who appears visibly sick, especially if they're coughing and sneezing.
Wear a Properly Fitted Mask
If you are at high risk or simply concerned about getting sick, the single most effective thing you can do is wear a correctly fitted N95 or KN95 mask, says Dr. Agullo.
A mask can help ward off germs from sick passengers seated close by, and it can also be worn in highly concentrated areas of travel, such as at a crowded gate during boarding, deplaning, waiting in line, or anytime you are near someone who appears visibly sick and coughing.
"Wear a well-fitting mask, an N95 or KN95 rather than a loose surgical mask," Dr. Agullo advises. "It is the single highest-yield thing a concerned traveler can do."
Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Travel surfaces run a higher risk for possible pathogen contamination than the air, because they are not cleaned as regularly.
Some of the most contaminated areas you may encounter during air travel include shared screen kiosks such as those used to check bags or watch entertainment in flight, toilet flush buttons, tray tables, armrests, drinking fountain buttons, and seat buckles.
You could always carry cleaning wipes to try to reduce your exposure, but what's most effective is washing and sanitizing your hands regularly, says Dr. Agullo.
Choose a Window Seat
It might cost you a few bucks more for seat selection if you aren't lucky enough to get placed there, but sitting by a window seat could decrease your exposure to germs, an Emory University study found.
"A window seat means fewer people passing within arm's reach than an aisle seat," Dr. Agullo points out.
It’s also worth noting, however, that the same study also concluded that there is a low overall risk of getting infected from a sick passenger who is not directly seated next to you, so fear not if you can't choose a window seat for your next flight.
Stay Hydrated
Traveling always makes staying hydrated a challenge for me, but Dr. Agullo says the effort is worth it. "Dry mucous membranes are less protective," he says, which could raise your risk of picking up an infectious pathogen.
The dry cabin air on airplanes already increases the risk of infection, so keeping yourself hydrated from the inside-out can help combat germs that may be looking to hitch a ride through your nasal passages.
Keep Vaccinations Up to Date
Staying up to date on recommended vaccines before you travel is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to reduce your risk of a transmissible infection.
Dr. Agullo recommends receiving seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at least 2 weeks before you travel so your immunity has time to build.
If you are traveling internationally, talk to your doctor or check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for other possible recommended vaccines.
The Shortcut
Cabin air runs through HEPA filters 20 to 30 times an hour. It's cleaner than what's circulating in your office.
The actual risk is the person coughing two seats over, not the vent above your head.
Shared check-in kiosks, tray tables, and toilet flush buttons don't get cleaned anywhere near as often as the air does.
