Crowded airports and the cramped, sealed cabins of airplanes create environments highly susceptible to pathogens including viruses and bacteria. Experts now warn that which seat you choose on a plane can significantly affect your risk of infection.
U.S. outlet HuffPost recently cited infectious disease specialists as saying that aisle seats carry a greater risk of bacterial and viral infection than window seats. Dr. Jarod Fox, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health Medical Group, and Dr. Ashley Drews, an infectious disease specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital, noted that "while aisle seats may be convenient for those who frequently get up to use the restroom or stretch during a flight, sitting there means continuous close contact with the many people moving through the cabin."
A study on in-flight disease transmission modeling by researchers at Emory University found that 80% of aisle-seat passengers got up from their seats during a flight. By comparison, the figure was 62% for middle-seat passengers and just 43% for window-seat passengers. The average number of contacts with other people also showed a stark difference. Aisle-seat passengers had an average of 64 contacts per flight, while window-seat passengers averaged just 12 — 81% fewer than aisle seats.
About 40% of cabin passengers get up at least once during a flight, and 20% move around two or more times. In other words, sitting in an aisle seat dramatically raises the chances of exposure to cough and sneeze droplets from people constantly passing by, or of being brushed against. Dr. Jen Caudle, a U.S. family medicine specialist, warned that "when there is turbulence, people walking down the aisle instinctively grab the armrests or headrests of aisle seats to steady themselves," making aisle seats a breeding ground for other people's germs.
The risk of "contact infection" from surfaces around seats should not be overlooked either. A 2015 in-flight hygiene study found that fold-down tray tables attached to seats harbored a staggering 2,155 CFU (colony-forming units) of bacteria per square inch. That is far higher than a household toilet seat at 127 CFU and roughly eight times more than an airplane lavatory flush button. Research at Auburn University identified seat-back pockets as one of the dirtiest spots on a plane, where the superbug MRSA can survive for up to a week. This is largely because previous passengers often stuff them with used tissues, trash, and even diapers.
So where is the safest spot on a plane to avoid infection? According to Dr. Ashley Drews, a window seat in a section far from the lavatories is the safest choice. It minimizes contact with other passengers, virtually no one touches the seat's armrest, and there is no direct encounter with passengers heading to the restroom. Vicki Stover Hertzberg, the professor who led the Emory University study, advised that "the best way to avoid getting sick during a flight is to sit in a window seat and not move for the entire flight." Because cabin air passes through rigorous filtering systems, the probability of viral transmission drops to around 3% for passengers who are not seated directly beside, in front of, or behind an infected person — within roughly a one-meter radius.
Of course, even with a window seat, the possibility of infection remains if an infected person is sitting right next to you or in the row directly ahead or behind. Thorough personal hygiene is therefore essential for anyone seeking complete protection.
Experts recommend the following precautions to reduce infection risk during air travel. Before eating or drinking, and after passing through airport security checkpoints, always wash hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Immediately after boarding, use personal disinfectant wipes to thoroughly clean tray tables, armrests, and seatbelt buckles. Avoid reaching into seat-back pockets and do not store personal belongings in them. During the flight, refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wear a mask when in close contact with others or in the sealed cabin environment. When coughing or sneezing on board, cover with the inside of your elbow rather than your hands. Above all, if you are feeling seriously unwell and suspect a contagious illness, it is advisable to adjust your plans out of consideration for fellow passengers.
