Do planes spread illness?

Air travel provides the means for such diseases to spread internationally at extraordinary rates because infected passengers jump from coast to coast and continent to continent within hours.



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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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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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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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The culprit is a compromised immune response due to the bodily impacts of flying. The increased exposure to pathogens + a weakened immune system = your body unable to fight off infections. Your immune system is suppressed when you fly due to the very nature of being on an aircraft.

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Aerotoxic syndrome relates to ill-health effects associated with breathing contaminated air in an airliner cabin. Researchers have associated aerotoxic syndrome with exposure to substances such as engine oil and hydraulic fluid.

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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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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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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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Flying produces an inconceivable amount of C02 emissions and air pollution. For those that don't know, CO2 (carbon dioxide) is one of the key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming – flying produces a whole lot of it.

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Just like a bag of peanuts mid-flight, air pressure changes will cause you to inflate. A build-up of gas can lead to bloating, constipation and stomach pains. Lack of movement leads to fluid build-up around the body, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

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Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.

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If you don't shower and bacteria and fungi do catch a ride back to your hotel with you, Tetro says you may end up depositing germs that aren't your own into your new space—particularly your bed.

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Planes also have very little humidity and the dry air can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat.

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You may be staying up later, consuming more alcohol and getting less exercise than usual. You're also more likely to be in crowded places for prolonged periods, interacting with a more diverse population than you're used to.” All of these factors can weaken your immune system and set the stage for getting sick.

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9 Immune Boosting Foods That Travel Well
  • Red Bell Peppers. ...
  • Tea (Ginger, Peppermint or Green) ...
  • Yogurt (or Probiotics) ...
  • Nuts and Seeds. ...
  • Superfoods (Goji Berries and Spirulina) ...
  • Tropical Fruits (Papaya, Kiwi and Pineapple) ...
  • Sweet Potato. ...
  • Carrots.


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