Doctors reveal the ‘germiest places’ on an airplane

July 11, 2016

Health experts say aircraft tray tables and seat pockets are full of germs
Private healthcare firm advises wiping down surfaces before using them
Suggest even in-flight pillows and blankets are ridden with bacteria

Rosie Taylor for the Daily Mail

Published:
17:13 EST, 10 July 2016

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Updated:
00:17 EST, 11 July 2016

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Jetting off for a holiday in sunnier climes always brings the risk of contracting a bug.

But doctors have now warned you could be most at risk while travelling on a bacteria-ridden plane.

Aircraft tray tables and seat pockets are the ‘germiest places’ on an aircraft – with in-flight magazines close behind, American medics claimed.

While seat pockets might seem an ideal place to keep drinks or snacks, they are often used by other travellers to store rubbish, with everything from used tissues to fingernail clippings and even dirty nappies stuffed inside.

Aircraft tray tables and seat pockets are the ‘germiest places’ on an aircraft, American medics claimed (file photo)

In an editorial on its patient website, US private healthcare firm Drexel Medicine, advised people to avoid using seat pockets on planes altogether and to keep things in pockets or cabin bags instead.

Tray tables may look cleaner, but flight attendants reported seeing passengers use them for various unhygienic activities – including changing nappies and disposing of chewed gum.

Travellers wanting to use the tray table to eat a meal or do the crossword should wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe first, the doctors advised.

They also suggested passengers use hand sanitiser if they want to use touchscreen entertainment systems on planes – screens in the headrest of the seat in front showing films and television shows.

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‘Nearly everyone who has sat in your seat before you has touched that screen and there is no way of knowing where their hands had been before that,’ they said.

Blankets and pillows handed out by airlines were also worth avoiding as they are often reused flight after flight, doctors cautioned.

And in-flight magazines could be riddled with germs as they are never ‘cleaned’ – only thrown away when a new issue comes out which can be as infrequently as four times a year.

Passengers were advised to bring their own reading material and warm clothing to avoid the need to share pre-used blankets and magazines.

Its final warning was to be wary of toilets on planes – recommending passengers to go in only when ‘armed’ with disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser, and use paper towels to lift the toilet seat and turn on taps.

US private healthcare firm Drexel Medicine suggested passengers use hand sanitiser if they want to use touchscreen entertainment systems on planes

The article published by the healthcare firm, linked with Drexel University College of Medicine, said: ‘Airplanes, like most forms of public transportation, are filled with germs. Whenever you cram a bunch of people in a tight space for a few hours – especially one with limited air flow – germ accumulation is inevitable.

‘But just like you take other travel health precautions, you can protect yourself from germs on an airplane by knowing where they are and what you can do to avoid coming in contact with them.’

But some critics have said the advice is over-zealous.

Commenting on the warnings regarding blankets and pillows being reused by other passengers, travel expert Brian Cohen said: ‘So are the seats. So what? It is not like you are sitting naked in that seat with the pillow and blanket over you.

‘I never bring my own blanket and pillow in an attempt to stay clean — not to a hotel property and not aboard an aeroplane — and yet I do not recall ever becoming sick as a result.’

He said all passengers needed to do to avoid germs was ensure they washed their hands thoroughly, especially before eating.