While it's true that germs exist everywhere, a new study has revealed that airplanes are, in fact, filled with more dirt than a typical busy home, according to Travel Math.
The company sent microbiologists to five airports, where they took 26 samples from four different flights to test these at the laboratory. Aside from the findings, below are the five filthiest things inside the airplane:
1. The food tray or tray tables.
The study revealed that tray tables had 196 percent more bacteria than a cellphone, according to Today. This supports a previous study that found positive traces of MRSA and noroviruses on food trays that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, according to the New York Times. It was revealed that these table trays are only washed once a day.
2. The inside door handle at the lavatory.
"People on the plane need to go to the bathroom. So they touch all the seat tops as they walk down the aisle. Then they use the bathroom, don't wash their hands, and walk out the door," said travel book author Michael Zimring, via Huffington Post.
Zimring suggests holding the door handle with a paper towel when opening the door.
3. The flush button for the toilet, and basically anything inside the lavatory.
Similarly to the door handles, the flush button is also littered with filth. It is a breeding ground for E.coli bacteria, according to Drexel Medicine. Basically anything inside a lavatory facility is dirty, but using the toilet is necessary, especially for long flights. If you find yourself needing to go to the bathroom while on the plane, make sure to have wipes and sanitizers with you.
4. The blankets and pillows provided in-flight.
Every morning, these blankets and pillows are replaced with fresh ones. But for the rest of the day, these are only folded up for use on the next flights, as relayed by flight attendants in another Huffington Post report. Travel experts suggest bringing your own blankets and pillows for long flights instead of asking for one.
5. The overhead air vent.
A microbiologist once suggested that air vents can work to blow away airborne microbes, according to NPR. Yet, the Travel Math study found out that air vents to contain more bacteria than the lavatory flush button or door handles. Perhaps, it may help to wear a protective dust mask during your flight for your peace of mind.
