Fear of flying: Will I catch swine flu on an airplane?

Source: National Geographic Kids

When you breathe recirculated airplane air, do you expose yourself to the coughs and sneezes of everyone onboard?
Well, not quite everyone. Most airlines do not circulate air along the length of the cabin, allowing it to interact with every passenger. Air is circulated from side to side in discrete sections of the plane. The passengers you’re most exposed to are those sitting near you, which would be true even if the air wasn’t recirculated.
A review of research, published in The Lancet, concluded that the chances of contracting an air-borne disease increase when you sit no more than two rows away from an already-infected passenger. This assumes an eight-hour flight. More recent evidence suggests the safety margin is more like seven rows on a three-hour flight. This risk is not unique to airplanes, of course. It applies to any confined public space, such as a classroom.

Recirculated vs. fresh air

Airlines used 100% fresh air before the early 1980s. Fresh air needs to be treated — compressed, humidified, and cooled. This takes a lot of energy. As fuel became more expensive, the airline industry made the transition to a combination of fresh and recycled air.
Recirculated air, which completely replaces cabin air every three minutes, suggests something that’s been inside your neighbors lungs multiple times. Fresh air sounds cleaner, but that’s not necessarily the case. Recirculated air is passed through high-efficiency filters that remove anywhere from 63% to 99% of bacteria, fungi, and dust. (Of course, the viruses that cause colds and influenza are much much smaller than bacteria.) A 1999 study found that passengers breathing recirculated air had no more colds than passengers breathing fresh air.
Bottom line: Yes, you may be exposed to the flu while flying, but the virus is not just in the air you breathe. It settles on all the surfaces you touch. So it’s important to wash your hands before eating. And if you sit on your hands during your flight, that will remind you to avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
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