Cimato also stresses the importance of staying hydrated while flying. “Do not forget to drink water and stay hydrated,” he says, adding that passengers should aim for about 16 ounces of water for every flight they take. Another key tip? Avoid sleeping or leaning your head on the airplane window. Cimato explains, “You are not the only one who has done that. And you do not know how many people or children have wiped their hands or other things all over the window.” It’s a compelling reminder to be mindful of hygiene during air travel.
Many travelers may shrug off concerns about germs in-flight, but research shows there’s reason for caution when it comes to common touch points on airplanes. A 2018 report testing real aircraft surfaces found that airplane lavatory flush buttons can carry up to 95,145 colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria per square inch — far more than typical household surfaces — and tray tables can still have thousands of CFUs even after cleaning. These surface contamination levels are significantly higher than what’s found in many people’s homes, and studies also show that seats, armrests, and call buttons can harbor microbes that passengers might touch throughout a flight.
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