TRYING to avoid getting ill when flying can be a tricky task, especially when stuck in a plane cabin with strangers.
But the seat you choose when flying could help you dodge falling ill while travelling.
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If you’re an aisle person, you may want to consider giving up your much-loved seat.
According to research from the National Academy of Sciences in the US, taking the window seat on a flight can significantly reduce your exposure to airborne germs compared to sitting in the middle or aisle seats.
This finding is especially relevant when trying to evade common respiratory illnesses like the common cold or the flu.
The study, which observed 1,500 passengers on US flights, found that people sitting in aisle seats interacted with around 64 individuals on average during a flight, compared to only 12 for those by the window.
That said, if you’re seated within a metre of someone who is infectious, your risk of getting sick increases significantly, regardless of your seat choice.
Close proximity to an infected person can raise your chances of catching an illness by up to 80 per cent.
The research suggests the window seat is always the better option for those prone to getting ill due to the airflow within the cabin.
That’s because planes use HEPA filters that channel air up the sides of the cabin and down towards the aisle. This means that window-seat passengers are the first to receive this filtered air, reducing their exposure to germs.
On top of this, the window seat is more isolated. With just one person next to you and a distance from the aisle, you’re less likely to come into contact with other passengers or crew members moving around.
Those sitting by the window are also less likely to move around the cabin, which also minimises their contact with others.
However, not all window-seat fliers get off scot-free, especially those on long-haul flights.
Those staying seated for too long – or not able to move around as freely due to having two people between them and the isle – could contract other health issues, such as deep-vein thrombosis.
Regardless, anyone looking to protect themselves from getting ill should wear a mask. Making sure the overhead air vent is on can help, too.
It’s also important to stay hydrated and use a nasal spray to keep your nose from drying out.
Regular hand washing or sanitising is another surefire way of preventing germs from entering your body, as you’re more likely to pick up germs from surfaces than the air.
And while it might seem excessive, those who are hell-bent on evading germs while travelling should try to remember to wipe down armrests, tray tables and touchscreens or remotes.
Using tissues when touching frequently handled surfaces like toilet door handles is another way to reduce your risk, as is opting for cutlery over direct hand contact with food.
Another study revealed why it’s healthier to fly in the middle of the day too.
Here are five other ways to avoid sick on holiday according to experts.
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