COVID-19 risk on airplanes is low

The risk of contracting COVID-19 on planes is relatively low if airlines vigilantly follow mask mandates and practice social distancing.

The risk of contracting COVID-19 on planes is relatively low if airlines vigilantly follow mask mandates and practice social distancing.According to a recent study funded by the U.S. Transportation Command, 99.99 percent of COVID-19 particles from an infected person wearing a mask disappear within six minutes on an airplane. This is apparently due to the effective air particle filtration and ventilation systems on airplanes. The study goes on to say that even if someone sits directly next to an infected passenger, the vast majority of virus particles will still disappear within six minutes. This is much faster than viruses take to dissipate in an average home or hospital.

However, there are still risks to flying. If an airline is not keeping middle seats open or enforcing proper mask use, then flying can still be dangerous. In July, the World Health Organization said that the risk of COVID-19 spreading on flights could not be ruled out, there is still a lot we do not know about the virus and the study was funded by the U.S. Transportation Command.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.