As millions of Brits prepare to jet off on their summer holidays, one decision people may not have considered could change their entire trip. Picking the right seat on the plane might mean the difference between lounging on a beach or staggering back and forth to the bathroom. Research has shown that whether people opt for a window, middle, or aisle seat could potentially impact their chances of catching viral infections before the holiday has even begun. However, your seat choice alone won't determine your overall risk of getting sick.
Proximity and Crowding Are Key Factors
The closer you are to someone carrying a virus, the greater your risk of picking up an infection. This is followed by how busy the flight is, as the more people there are, the more likely some will be carrying viruses on board. Airflow around the plane, passenger movement, contact with shared surfaces (such as in the bathroom), and whether or not you wear a mask will all influence your risk of catching a viral infection on a flight.
Dr. Sophie Dix, Head of Medical Affairs at online pharmacy MedExpress, has shared advice on ways travellers can reduce their risk of illness while flying, including where to sit. She said: "Although there is no guaranteed way to avoid picking up an illness while flying, there are practical steps people can take to reduce their exposure to germs and viruses on planes."
Seat Selection Matters
"The best advice to avoid getting sick on the plane is to try and reduce as much contact with germs and other passengers as possible, so choosing where you sit may have more impact than you might have originally thought." Window seats are a great option as they are often far away from high-traffic areas such as bathrooms and busy walkways. Aisle seats also increase your exposure to people who frequently pass by throughout the flight, queue for the toilet, and access luggage from overhead compartments.
One study found that sitting in a window seat can reduce your interactions with other passengers or crew by up to five times compared to if you sit in a middle or aisle seat. "Additionally, research may suggest that leaving the middle aisle free reduces the spread of airborne diseases by 37%, so choosing seats that appear to have middle aisles empty could be a strong choice. Whilst protection from illness is never guaranteed, this highlights that creating distance between other passengers greatly reduces your chances of getting sick."
Wipe Down Surfaces and Wash Hands Regularly
Surfaces such as tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, touchscreens, magazines, and window shutters can harbour germs easily as they are used so frequently by previous passengers. Wiping down surfaces with disinfectant wipes or sanitiser greatly reduces your risk of coming into contact with germs on them. Maintaining good hygiene standards while travelling can greatly reduce your chances of getting sick. Washing your hands regularly with soapy water or hand sanitiser, especially after coming into contact with surfaces, is a simple but effective way to stop the spread of germs while you're on the plane.
Stay Hydrated and Wear a Face Mask
Cabin air on planes can be extremely dry and irritate your nose and throat whilst travelling, leaving you feeling more run down and vulnerable to picking up any viral infections. Make sure to drink plenty of water and keep on top of hydration throughout the flight to strengthen your immune system. Keep water easily accessible throughout the flight, and drink regularly, especially if you're travelling with children. Wearing a face mask greatly reduces the spread of any airborne viruses, as we saw throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowded flights may become a hotspot for any infections due to the cramped space and close proximity to other passengers, so taking preventative measures may help reduce the spread of any current infections.
Ensure You're Well Rested
Those who don't get adequate rest before a flight are over 4 times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who are fully rested. This is due to your immune system being weaker when you haven't got enough sleep, making you more susceptible to picking up any infections.
