Science Shows Safest Plane Seating to Cut COVID Spread
MONDAY, Dec. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Taking to the skies for a long-awaited holiday?
Choose your seat on the plane wisely and don't overlook familiar steps like keeping your mask on to reduce your odds for getting COVID-19 or another contagious disease, experts suggest.
“Spacing is an obvious challenge on airplanes, especially when the planes are filled at or near capacity over the holiday season. So anything that can be done to reduce risk is a smart choice for everybody,� study author Sheldon Jacobson said in a news release from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He's a professor in the College of Engineering.
Jacobson and his university colleagues used the latest data on aerosol spread to model the most desirable seating assignments on common Boeing airplanes.
Most protective seating arrangements? Leaving middle seats open and skipping some rows.
The researchers also found that the plane's very last rows had less transmission because fewer people were behind them. That suggests that on a fuller flight, back rows could be filled, as well as roomier seats in higher classes, they said.
Another way airlines can reduce overall risk: Seat families or household groups together.
“Traveler groups often are split up, but if airlines can prioritize keeping the members near each other, then you group those dependent risks together and reduce the overall risk of a transmission on the plane,� said study co-author Ian Ludden, a graduate student in computer science.
And, of course, don't forget your mask. Federal law requires you to wear one on the plane. And, the study found that wearing a mask consistently reduced the risk of COVID transmission by 30% -- regardless of seating arrangement.
“Your individual risk of contracting or spreading the virus depends on how good that barrier is and whether you remove it," Jacobson said.
Opening the air vents above your seat will provide additional protection. Then, cross your fingers and enjoy your trip.
"Risk reduction is possible," Jacobson said, "But risk cannot be completely eliminated."
The findings were recently published in the Journal of Air Transport Management.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 prevention.
SOURCE: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, news release, Dec. 21, 2021
Related Articles
Search Allergy Articles
Dangerous Allergies? An Expert Gives Tips to Protect Yourself
Food Allergies in College 101: Tips to Cope
Planning Safe Summer Camp Fun for Kids With Allergies & Asthma
There Are Multiple Child Asthma Triggers in Dirty Air
Healthy, Diverse Infant Microbiome Could Shield Kids From Asthma
Roadside Trees, Bushes Are Cutting Air Pollution, Study Finds
Air Filters Probably Won't Cut Your Odds for Illness: Study
Respiratory Illnesses in China Not Caused by New Virus, CDC Director Testifies
President Biden Gets COVID, Flu Shots
Folks Often Hide Infectious Illness at Work, Socializing
Contrary to Popular Belief, 1918 Flu Did Not Target the Healthy Young