Why does flying by plane have a low risk of transmission of Covid-19?
According to IATA (International Air Transport Association) the risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus on an airplane is low, especially compared to other indoor spaces. This is because the environment of the airplane cabin makes virus transmission ineffective.
Here’s a quick recap of why:
Face coverings and masks are worn throughout the flight.
Passengers face forward with limited face-to-face interactions with other passengers.
The seats provide a kind of barrier to the forward and backward transmission of the cabin.
Cabin air renewal takes place every 2-3 minutes and therefore does not allow droplets to spread in the same way as in other indoor spaces where you do not renew the air.
The top-down airflow direction further reduces forward or rearward transmission possibilities in the cabin.
Modern aircraft use high levels of clean air supply combined with hospital grade HEPA filters.
Despite the lower risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus while on a plane, you should always take extra steps to protect yourself and those around you. Below are some ways that could make your trip even safer.
- Always wear your mask.
- Wash your hands often.
- Keep a distance of 2 meters from other people.
- Limit bare-hand contact to frequently touched surfaces such as railings, escalators, elevator buttons, and more. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands.
- Use disinfectant wipes on your seat, seat belt, windows and tables before sitting down.
- Wash your face and hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after flying.