If you travel on planes for business or pleasure, you’ll encounter hidden germs along the way from the airport to the airplane. Knowing where the most germs on airplanes are and where the most germs in the airports are could mean the difference in keeping you healthy on your next trip. Good health is everything when you travel because you want to enjoy your adventure.
The Top Three Places for Germs in Airports and on Airplanes
InsuranceQuotes.com recently conducted 18 bacterial tests on six surfaces at three major U.S. airports and airline flights. According to the results of the test, there are three top areas at the airports and three top areas on the airlines with the largest collection of bacteria most likely to make you sick. Think of high-touch areas, as these are the ones with the most germs.
The takeaway from this study is to pack a few items you deem necessary in your carry-on to counter germs in airplanes for peace of mind,
Hand Sanitizer: Helps maintain hygiene by allowing you to clean your hands when soap and water are unavailable.
Disinfecting Wet Wipes: Useful for wiping down surfaces such as tray tables, armrests, and seatbelt buckles, reducing exposure to germs.
Travel Pillow: Supports your neck and helps you rest more comfortably during the journey.
Travel Blanket: Keeps you warm and cozy, especially during long flights or in air-conditioned environments.
Airports- the top three surfaces with the highest amount of germs and bacteria
- Self Check-in Kiosks
Think about how many people have touched the buttons on the kiosks before your arrival at the airport. Regular travelers use kiosks to save time so it’s important to take hand sanitizer with you on your next airline flight. - Airline Gate Bench Armrest
Travelers often wait for an hour or more at the gates. As a result, they use the toilet or eat at the gate benches and touch the armrest repeatedly. Have they washed their hands when they used the facilities? Have they touched the floor when they picked up their bag? It’s a good practice to take a travel-size disinfecting or sanitizing wet wipe with you to wipe down the armrest. - Water fountain button
If you travel regularly, you might consider avoiding the water fountain and buying bottled water instead, even if it is expensive. The newer stations to fill your own water bottle also have buttons that many travelers touch. The spigot that disperses the water should be clean as there is no reason to touch it when filling up your bottle, so you may consider traveling with a refillable water bottle to be eco-friendly and save some money while doing so.
Top three surfaces on board with the largest amount of germs on airplanes:
- Lavatory flush button Grab a paper towel and push the flush button instead of using your bare hand.
- Tray table. Think about how often they wash those tray tables. Use those sanitizing wet wipes to freshen that surface before you take off. You’ll have better health by the time you arrive at your next destination.
- Seat belt buckle. Every traveler is required to wear a seatbelt, so you have to touch it. So use those disinfecting wet wipes on the seat buckle too.
Must-Have Items to always pack…our pro tip is to keep these items in your carry-on bag at home so you always have them ready to go.
Hand Sanitizer
1-ounce travel-sized sanitizing gel bottles are designed to clip onto bags, backpacks, and purses. The mild formula does not dry out the skin.
Disinfecting Wet Wipes
Sanitizing wipes for on board tray tables, seat buckles and seat armrests on both onboard the aircraft and in airport waiting areas.
Travel Pillow
A personal travel pillow is hygienic. Select a pillow with a removable and washable cover for freshness. Many designs will compact down into a small carry case to minimize the room they take up. An inflatable pillow compacts down even more and is ultra-lightweight.
Travel Blanket
A clean and handy blanket can keep you comfortable and warm in the sky. Use it at your destination as an additional blanket for your bed, a picnic blanket, or a lumbar roll on trains or buses.
It’s worth noting again that we recommend keeping these items with your carry-on or luggage at home so you don’t forget to pack them. They can help keep you healthy, now enjoy your trip!
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