Aisle seat in Middle of Plane Carries Highest Risk of Catching a Cold, Study Finds
ATLANTA, GA – Travelers hoping to avoid airborne illness should carefully consider their seat selection, according to research published in 2018. A study by researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech universities revealed that passengers seated in middle seats on the aisle are significantly more likely to contract a virus during a flight.
The research, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved observing over 1,500 passengers and 41 crew members across ten domestic US flights.Researchers meticulously tracked passenger movement,interactions,and instances of coughing and sneezing.
While direct transmission of viruses remains relatively low, the study found passengers within one meter of an infected individual – particularly those in the same row, or directly in front or behind – are at the greatest risk. Window-seat passengers, who average around a dozen interactions per flight and are less likely to get up, experienced the lowest exposure.
Though, the aisle seat in the middle of the aircraft proved to be the most vulnerable. Passengers in these seats averaged 64 contacts per flight, representing a maximum exposure rate and an 80% chance of becoming infected when a sick passenger is nearby. The act of simply getting up to use the restroom or access overhead bins increases contacts by five.
“Our results indicate a low probability of direct transmission to passengers who are not seated in close proximity to an infected passenger,” the researchers stated.
The study underscores the importance of seat selection when booking flights, suggesting that prioritizing distance from the aisle can significantly reduce the risk of illness.
