10 Ways to Avoid Germs on a Plane in 2022
Updated 1/13/22
We’ve all been there — a long day of traveling, and you’re just dying to get off that plane so you can stretch your legs. But as you start to stand and walk down the aisle, the guy in front of you has a coughing fit and spews germs everywhere. And you realize he has been roaming all over the cabin before the flight took off. You also remember all the things he touched and possibly left a lot of awful germs on, including your seat and tray table. You start having thoughts about getting sick and you just wish you were more careful from the start.
Such instances are more common than you think and after the outburst of the covid-19 pandemic, people are facing such situations on almost every flight. Furthermore, we all know how many germs an airplane carried even before COVID-19. Thousands of people travel every day on a plane and the cleaning staff can only do so much to maintain proper hygiene in the cabin area. In the end, it is on you, the passenger, who should take certain steps to protect yourself and your family from all the harmful bacteria and viruses.
Here are ten ways to avoid germs when traveling via flight:
1. Wear a Mask
If 2020 was to have a tagline, it would be: “wear a mask”. This tip might look simple but surprisingly not everyone wears a mask as they should. If you are serious about protecting your body from bacteria and viruses, wear the right mask in the right way. Make sure the mask covers both your mouth and nose properly. Do not touch the mask without sanitizing your hands to prevent germs from transferring from surfaces you touched into your body.
2. Stay Hydrated
A lead flight attendant for Alerion Aviation, named Taylor Strickland, called in sick just once in her entire career. Her top tip was stay hydrated. There is a science behind this tip. Flying dehydrates your body which makes it weaker. This makes it harder for your body to fight against harmful germs. So, stay hydrated as much as possible. And avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee as they will speed up the dehydration process even further.
3. Use Tray Tables Smartly
The tray tables are one of the dirtiest parts of an airplane. People use it as a headrest, footrest, platform to change baby diapers, and everything else you can imagine. Cabin cleaners do follow a clean-up routine between the flights, but they do it so quickly due to limited time that it feels as if they just said “hello” to the colony of bacteria and left. And now that bacteria can’t wait to say hello back to the passengers. A smarter way to protect yourself from those germs is to use a table tray cover that stays in place, providing a clean layer between you and the germy surface.
Psst! There are two included in our Healthy Airplane Travel Kit.
4. Use Antibacterial Wipes
You should consider using antibacterial wipes to disinfect smaller areas that are commonly touched like seatbelt buckles, overhead air vent buttons, door handles, etc. Using them correctly is important. They are most effective when wiping down the hard, nonporous surfaces and not fabric. It is best to make sure the surface stays visibly wet for some time to make the germ-killing process work effectively.
5. Use Airplane Seat Covers
Sitting in your seat on a flight is like sitting in a petri dish full of bacteria. Obviously, you cannot use disinfectant wipes on a fabric airplane seat. Or let’s say, theoretically you can but is it practical? Of course not. A better (and quicker) way to disinfect your seats is to not try to disinfect it, instead use a disposable/reusable airplane seat cover. It not only saves time but gives you better overall protection from the germs that previous passengers, most likely, left behind.
6. Don’t Touch NEM
The quickest way to welcome germs into your body is through NEM, i.e. Nose, Eyes, and Mouth. To prevent doing that you have got to keep your hands away from your face. Here the mask helps as well because it stops you from unknowingly touching sensitive areas of the face. If you have kids who won’t keep the mask on, use a mask spray with a natural and pleasant smell like this one to make them feel calm and comfortable.
7. Use Hand Sanitizer
Keeping your hands clean and germ free is the simplest way to prevent getting sick. You should wash your hands as frequently as possible and always be sure to carry a hand sanitizer, just in case soap is not available. Make sure the hand sanitizer you are using is alcohol based and contains at least 60% alcohol, which is the recommended value provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
8. Try to Relax (De-Stress)
Today, we have a tremendous amount of research available that shows the link between the amount of stress we manage and our health. Stress affects our immune system negatively, making the body weak. This lowers our ability to fight against germs. So, it’s better to avoid stress as much as possible when on a flight or travel is in your near future. One of the common reasons people get stressed before taking their flight is because they reach the airport late. You can avoid such stress by leaving early. Also, when on the plane, try using meditation apps to relax and de-stress your body.
9. Help Your Body
Staying healthy before taking a flight is equally important as practicing hygiene during the flight. Make sure you are eating healthy foods instead of snack food and taking your prescribed supplements/medications on time and getting a healthy amount of quality sleep before traveling. This will ensure your immune system works at its best and protects you from common illnesses.
10. Take a Nap
Sleeping is a type of body hack that you can use while you are on a flight to prevent getting sick indirectly. Sleep also helps in decreasing stress and improving the immune system, which ultimately prevents you from getting sick from germs. So, make sure to wear your comfortable clothes, and use a cozy neck pillow, and have a relaxing sleep throughout those long flights. You can take a quick nap even on shorter flights. This will keep you energized and help you avoid jet lag if you are moving to a different time zone.
By following the above mentioned, simple yet effective tips, you can ensure your plane trip is germ-free and you reach your destination happy and healthy.
What’s Next?
Don’t forget to check out our products made specifically to fulfill the hygienic needs of travelers on our products page. We at Seat Sitters are committed to making traveling and going out in public clean and healthy.