Have you ever flown somewhere, felt excited about arriving at your destination, only to start sensing a cold creeping in a day or two later? If so, you’re not the only one. In fact, there might be as much as an 80% increased likelihood of getting sick on a flight, influenced by your seating location.
Several factors contribute to this, but you can lower your risk of falling ill on your next flight with some planning and seating tactics. I detail this in the video above along with some tips below.
**First, Let’s Address The Myths**
Let’s clear up some misconceptions regarding airplane air, which many link to post-flight coughs and sniffles. The air circulated in aircraft passes through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and planes do intake a certain amount of fresh air throughout the flight. Approximately 50% of the air you breathe during a flight is recirculated, with HEPA filters capturing about 99.97% of airborne particles larger than .3 microns. This is sufficient to filter out nearly all bacteria and many viruses.
HEPA filtration and ventilation systems for passengers are so effective that being seated next to someone on a flight is comparable to standing 2 meters away from someone in an office, grocery store, or airport. There are numerous individuals you encounter in check-in lines, security queues, restrooms, and lounges at an airport, making those places where you’re more likely to pick up a cold. If you’re particularly worried about catching a cold, wearing a mask is a sensible precaution, but other measures can also be adopted.
**Sanitize Hands And Choose Seats Wisely**
Ensure you frequently sanitize or wash your hands, and be deliberate about seat selection. A 2018 study by Boeing, Emory University, and Georgia Tech suggested there could be a higher risk of getting sick during flights, albeit with some conditions. Researchers discovered that being seated in the same row as a sick passenger or in front of or behind one elevated the chances of falling ill.
The study focused on flights with 3-seat rows, yet a person directly across the aisle isn’t entirely safe – they experienced an 80% higher probability of becoming ill. For individuals seated across the aisle in the middle or window seat, there was a 10-30% increase in the chance of falling sick.
**Breathing For Wellbeing**
Dr. Mark Gendreau recommends using the gaspers on your flight, if available, to create an air curtain. Gaspers are the adjustable personal air vents known to many travelers. Dr. Gendreau suggests positioning them at medium flow so the air is directed just in front of your face, which may create some turbulence that helps disperse airborne germs enough to prevent inhalation or landing on you.
Naturally, there’s no way to completely eliminate the risk of becoming ill immediately after a flight. Some of the congestion you experience could also relate to the dry air in the cabin. Most airplane cabins maintain humidity levels of 10-20%, while most individuals find 30-60% much more comfortable. As the air dries out, your body produces extra mucus to prevent excessive drying, but upon disembarking, with the sudden increase in humidity, that excess mucus has to go somewhere, often manifesting as a runny nose.
For issues with clogged ears and noses, do ensure to utilize the safe technique for equalizing pressure to prevent hearing complications.