Avoiding Airport Germs: Strategies For Safe Travel

Airports and aeroplanes are breeding grounds for germs, with the recycled air and constant coughing and sneezing of passengers. A study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research found that you may be up to 100 times more likely to catch a cold on a plane than in your daily life. So, how can you avoid germs at the airport? Firstly, treat the airport like an emergency room: assume everyone is sick and be cautious. Use disinfectant wipes on surfaces such as tray tables and armrests, and use hand sanitiser with 62-70% ethanol content. Avoid touching your face, and wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. It is also recommended to change your clothes after travelling and to build up your immune system before your trip with healthy food, exercise and sleep.

Wash your hands and change clothes after your trip

It's important to wash your hands and change your clothes after your trip to avoid germs at the airport. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this effectively:

Handwashing Technique:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
• Turn off the tap and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together, ensuring you cover the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. You can hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice to time yourself.
• Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dryer.

Handwashing Timing:

• Wash your hands before and after your trip, especially if you've been in contact with surfaces or objects that many others have touched, such as airport bathrooms, door handles, or tray tables.
• If you can't access soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Keep a travel-sized bottle with you.

Clothing:

• Change your clothes as soon as possible after your trip.
• Wash your clothes separately from other items, using a gentle detergent and lukewarm water.
• Soak delicate garments for up to 30 minutes, gently stirring them periodically. Rinse with lukewarm water and repeat until the water runs clear.
• If you suspect your clothes have come into contact with germs, treat stains immediately with a suitable stain remover.
• Dry your clothes as recommended on their care labels.

Remember, washing your hands and changing your clothes after a trip is a simple yet effective way to protect yourself and others from potential airport germs.

Use disinfectant wipes on surfaces

Disinfectant wipes are a must-have in your carry-on bag when travelling through an airport. They are an effective way to avoid germs and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Tray tables, for example, are known to carry a high volume of germs, so it is a good idea to give the table a wipe before eating or placing anything on it. Seat armrests are another surface that can be wiped down for extra protection.

Other surfaces to consider wiping down include overhead air vents, lavatory flush buttons, and seatbelt buckles. These are all high-touch surfaces, and viruses can survive for hours on solid objects.

It is also a good idea to carry hand sanitizing wipes. These can be used after touching surfaces, and before eating, to ensure you are not bringing germs to a point of entry such as your mouth, nose, or eyes.

By using disinfectant wipes on surfaces, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting an illness while travelling through an airport.

Avoid touching your face

Touching your face is one of the easiest ways to transfer bacteria from surfaces to your skin. When you touch your face after touching surfaces in an airport, you are potentially transferring all the bacteria from those surfaces to your pores.

To avoid touching your face, it is recommended to keep your hands busy. For example, you could carry a small item in your hand, such as your passport, or keep your hands in your pockets. You could also try to be mindful of when you are touching your face and make a conscious effort to stop. If you feel an itch on your face, use the back of your hand to scratch it, as this is less likely to have come into contact with a contaminated surface.

Wearing gloves can also help to prevent you from touching your face. If you do choose to wear gloves, make sure you do not touch your face with the gloves on, as they can still transfer bacteria. Additionally, try to avoid touching surfaces with your gloves, as they will still need to be washed or sanitised.

If you do touch your face, it is important to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser immediately afterward. This will help to remove any bacteria that may have been transferred to your face.

Overall, being aware of your surroundings and practising good hygiene can help reduce the risk of spreading bacteria to your face.

Wear a face mask

Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from germs at an airport and on a plane. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing face coverings in public settings, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain. This is certainly the case at an airport and on a plane, where you are in close proximity to others.

Wearing a mask can reduce the amount of virus in the airspace and protect others, even if you are asymptomatic. If everyone wears a mask, the airspace will be protected from contaminated virus droplets. Masks will also protect you from other common respiratory viruses, like influenza, that are transmitted through the air. A 2020 study by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) found that the risk of COVID-19 transmission on a plane was "extremely unlikely" when masks are worn.

It is recommended that you wear a high-quality mask, such as those with activated charcoal filters, which are effective at filtering out almost all (>99%) contaminants from cabin air. These masks are especially useful during engine start, take-off, climb, descent, and landing, as these periods pose the highest risk of air contamination from engine emissions. Masks are also important when there is turbulence, as this can lead to fluctuations in engine power settings, increasing the risk of cabin air contamination. Additionally, if insecticides are sprayed in the cabin before arrival, a mask will provide effective protection against inhaling these toxic chemicals.

However, some advise against wearing masks, arguing that they are ineffective and can even encourage the growth of viruses and bacteria if they become moist. Instead, the focus should be on hand hygiene and avoiding touching your face.

Choose the window seat

Choosing the window seat on a plane is a great way to reduce your chances of getting sick while travelling.

Research on the transmission of infectious illnesses on commercial aircraft has found that window seats are the safest from germs. A 2018 study by Emory University researchers identified a zone inside the cabin where viruses are most easily spread. Window seats are furthest from this high-risk zone, as they are furthest from the aisle where crew and passengers frequently pass by.

The study found that passengers in aisle seats were much more likely to get up and move around, increasing their chances of coming into contact with germs. About 80% of those in aisle seats left their seats at least once during the flights, compared to only around 40% of those in window seats. Passengers in aisle seats had an average of 64 "contacts" with others during a flight, compared to just 12 for those by the window.

Sitting by the window also means fewer awkward interactions with fellow passengers, as you won't need to ask permission to get up and disturb others less. Plus, you get a great view and more space from your neighbour.

So, if you want to reduce your chances of catching a bug on your next flight, be sure to book that window seat!

Frequently asked questions