How To Pick An Airplane Seat Now

by Joseph K. Clark

If you feel people are getting more comfortable with air travel at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, your hunch is correct. Since March 11, the Transportation Security Administration has screened more than 1 million passengers daily. On May 2, that number exceeded 1.6 million for the first time since March 12, 2020. But as people ease back into flying, there are still lingering questions about the risk of spending time on an airplane, especially now that airlines have ended their middle seat blocking policies. There’s a desire to assert control for the most nervous fliers by choosing to sit in the “safest” part of the plane from a COVID-19 transmission perspective. But is there such a thing? HuffPost asked health and travel experts to break down the safety of flying right now and how to choose a plane seat with minimal risk.

The risk of air travel is considered relatively low.

“Traveling on a plane does put you at risk for COVID exposure, but it is considered a lower risk,” said Dr. Cristina M. Amado, an infectious disease physician with Orlando Health Infectious Disease Group. “That is because of the safety checks and sanitation measures that airlines have developed. Crew members perform deep cleaning in between flights. Passengers are required to wear masks on flights. The risk of viral transmission on a flight is low due to how air circulates and filters on an airplane.”

Airplanes generally have HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters that circulate fresh and recycled air and minimize exposure to contagious droplets. “There have been almost no superspreader events on planes compared to other indoor events,” said Scott Keyes, author of “Take More Vacations” and founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “The HEPA filters constantly refresh the air, everyone is required to wear a mask and face the same direction, and people are generally quiet, not shouting or singing, so it’s safer for COVID.”

Airplane Seat

He added that when the plane is on the ground might be a bit riskier, though still relatively low risk with masks, vaccinations, and distancing. “When planes aren’t in the air, that same filtration system isn’t necessarily running, so you may not have the same level of air circulation the way you do during the flight,” Keyes said, noting that this can vary based on the airline and individual aircraft. “United is one airline that has taken the step of running it with their auxiliary power unit during the boarding and deplaning process to minimize the transmission risk.”

Most experts believe the more considerable COVID-19 risk in air travel comes from the time before you even board the plane, thanks to things such as dining at airport restaurants, queuing to board, and waiting on a crowded jet bridge. “The flight itself is low risk if you remain seated throughout,” said Dr. Sachin Nagrani, a physician and medical director for the telemedicine and house call provider Heal. “Airplane travel introduces the risk of contracting COVID primarily from spending time in security lines, at the gates, and while boarding and deplaning when you are near other people indoors.”

Window seats may carry the lowest risk.

Some airlines responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping all middle flight seats empty. “Studies done on keeping the middle seat open have decreased virus exposure by 23 to 57%,” Amado said. “However, these studies were not done on masked passengers.”

As of May 1, Delta is no longer blocking its middle seats ― the last primary U.S. carrier to end this practice. So if you’re trying to reduce risk as much as possible, consider booking the most miniature full flight you can find. The specific seat you choose may also make a slight difference.

“The window seat might be the safest place to sit compared to an aisle seat, as you do not have other passengers walking past you,” Amado said. “Also, choosing a seat in the back of the plane may be safer than the front, as you would have fewer passengers walking by.” Nagrani echoed that advice, noting, “The window seat is the safest option due to the direction of airflow within the cabin.”

The most or least desirable seats each have benefits

Another way to reduce risk could be splurging or cashing in your points for a seat in the smaller, more spaced-out business-class cabin.

“Now is the time to use up all those points you racked up in 2020 for a business class upgrade,” said Konrad Waliszewski, co-founder and CEO of the travel app Tripscout. “You should be sipping free Champagne on your next flight ― but in the name of health and safety!”

However, if that isn’t an option for you, he suggested choosing the “least desirable” window or aisle seat on the plane.

“This will increase the chance you won’t have someone sitting right next to you,” he said. “Pick a seat in the back of the plane, but avoid picking a seat too close to the restroom to avoid crowds congregating. The back is also safer because you are less likely to have every passenger walking past your seat during boarding.”

Still, there’s no need to worry if your seating options are limited. Air travel, especially given the continued mask mandates, still carries relatively little risk compared with other indoor activities.

“Window seats may carry a lower risk of getting exposed,” said Dr. Andrés Henao, an internal medicine physician, infectious disease specialist, and director of the UCHealth Travel Clinic. “However, the risk overall is low.”

Other safety precautions are essential.

Being mindful of your seat choice isn’t the only ― or even the most important ― way to protect your health when taking a flight.

“The recommendation is to get fully vaccinated if possible before traveling by air,” Henao said. “Keep wearing a mask, wash hands, and practice social distancing.”

Airlines and airports still require masks for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers ― a rule many believe will remain longer than other restrictions.

“Wear a mask, preferably surgical grade or N95, and consider using a cloth mask over the medical mask to ensure a good seal around the edges,” Nagrani advised. “Make efforts to distance yourself from others; for example, by limiting carry-on baggage, checking in online, and avoiding crowding into a line while boarding or deplaning.”

Amado emphasized the importance of washing and sanitizing hands when touching airplane surfaces and trying not to eat or drink during your flight.

“If you choose to eat or drink during the flight, you should remember to put your mask back on between sips and bites,” she said. “Try not to get up and walk around too much while on the flight.”

She also advised minimizing your time in airports and planes by choosing flight options with the fewest layovers.

“Try to avoid crowds as much as possible while waiting in the airport for your flight,” she said. “Also, if you feel sick, you should reschedule your flight. Many airlines are not charging change fees right now. It is better to be safe than risk getting or spreading COVID-19.”

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