Are you more likely to catch a virus on a plane?

A study by MIT scholars estimates that from mid-2020 through early 2021, the probability of getting Covid-19 on an airplane surpassed 1 in 1,000 on a totally full flight lasting two hours at the height of the early pandemic, roughly December 2020 and January 2021.



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Concurrent measurements of aircraft motion were made on all journeys, yielding approximately 30 h of aircraft motion data. Results: Overall, 0.5% of passengers reported vomiting, 8.4% reported nausea (range 0% to 34.8%) and 16.2% reported illness (range 0% to 47.8%) during flight.

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About a quarter of passengers get airsick, according to one study. The feeling is arguably more distressing than carsickness because, after all, an airplane passenger can't pull over and wait for the wave of nausea to pass. (Seasickness is still undeniably the worst of all, though.)

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It's a prime location for viral transmission. “If you wear a mask, that is at least one protection you can keep constant, as well as other easy mitigations, like keeping up to date with Covid vaccines, wiping down your seat and tray area, and keeping your hands clean,” says Wallace.

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What is the safest seat on an airplane? According to a TIME investigation from 2015 that examined 35 years of aircraft accident data, the middle seats at the back of the plane had the lowest fatality rate at 28%.

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Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat.

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Scientists analyzed your risk of getting sick when sitting in a window, middle, or aisle seat on the plane — and there's a clear winner. Data scientists have investigated how germs travel around on planes, and discovered sitting in the window seat is the best way to stay healthy.

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10 Tips for Plane Travel
  1. Drink more water. Hydration will help you handle anything air travel sends your way. ...
  2. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol presents a double threat to airplane wellness. ...
  3. Pack for hydration. ...
  4. Prepare your immune system. ...
  5. Flex your calves. ...
  6. Stretch everything else. ...
  7. Sleep near the window. ...
  8. Make your own legroom.


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Low humidity on airplanes
Low humidity can cause the nasal passages to dry out and cause irritation in the nose and throat. On top of that, bacteria and viruses can survive longer in low-humidity environments, making it harder for your body to fight off any infections you might catch aboard a plane.

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Airborne Illnesses “You are at greater risk if the person is seated within two rows of you. But your risk is lower if the person is seated three or more rows away.” Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu, are the most common illnesses that air travelers might be exposed to while in flight.

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Really, Hertzberg says, the risk of getting a respiratory infection from a plane is low. There are very few reports of infectious disease being transmitted on airplanes, she says.

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“Passengers should not be concerned about getting sick from somebody coughing, for instance, five rows behind them,” said Vicki Stover Hertzberg, first author of the study and a professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Emory University.

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You can't see movement ahead while sitting on a plane, but staring out a window and seeing the clouds and the ground underneath you alleviates symptoms, Dr. Derebery said.

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Because the wings provide the plane's stability, the seats closest to them will offer a smoother ride. If those seats are not available, the next best place is towards the front of the plane. It is best to avoid the back if turbulence will cause you distress, as it is the most susceptible to bumpiness.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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Being confined for an extended length of time in a plane can be a risk factor as everyone is crowded together making it easier for infections to circulate. Planes also have very little humidity and the dry air can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat.

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