The Dirty Details

You are 113 times more likely to catch a common cold during a flight than normal ground transmission.

There are no regulatory standards on how thorough or often planes must be cleaned.

An airplane tray table has 12 times more bacteria per inch than your toilet seat at home.

Communicable diseases may be transmitted to other travelers during air travel; people who are infected with influenza are contagious for 5-7 days and can be easily transmitted to those in close proximity.

The flu outbreak in the US is being fueled by so many people traveling.

Cold and flu viruses can survive up to 72 hours on hard plastic surfaces (tray tables, arm rest), while noroviruses can survive for 2-4 weeks. MRSA germs can survive for up to 7 days on cloth (headrest, seat pocket).

Sources:  Journal of Environmental Health Research, ABC Good Morning America, Travel Math, Center for Disease Control, Auburn University of Alabama

WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL SPACE WITH GERM FREE ZONE

Potentially deadly bacteria and infectious viruses can live for days on various surfaces inside an airplane’s cabin and can be
easily transmitted through contact. Communicable diseases can spread easily due to close proximity to infected people.
There are no clear regulatory standards on how thoroughly or how often planes must be cleaned. Disinfecting/wiping down
surfaces, deep cleaning bathrooms, or cleaning out the seat-back pockets is not possible between flights, due to little
turnaround time between flights.

Positive cultures for potentially deadly bacteria and infectious virus samples collected aboard airplanes have found:

  • Influenza Virus
  • Common Cold Virus
  • E.coli Bacteria
  • MRSA, Staphylococcus Aureus
  • Streptococcus Pyogenes
  • Norovirus
  • H1N1
  • Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
  • Funghi