Studies show that cabin air quality is as good or better than what you would experience in a normal office environment. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters capture over 99.9% of airborne microbes. Aircraft are also regularly disinfected as part of normal cleaning routines.
But you can take additional self-help measures to make the trip more enjoyable: drink much water and juice to keep well hydrated, wear loose clothing, stretch and excercise your feet and ankles while seated.
You will find below our answers to the most frequently asked questions related to health and air transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How safe is the air in a modern aircraft?
Very safe. In fact, these European Aviation Safety Agency studies showed that “the cabin/cockpit air quality is similar or better than what is observed in normal indoor environments” such as offices, schools and home dwellings.
Modern aircraft have high efficiency air filters similar to those used in hospital operating rooms. They capture more than 99.9% of the airborne microbes in the filtered air.
Where to find information on health and well being related to air travel?
See these useful resources:
- The World Health Organization's (WHO) International Travel and Health manual, covering cabin air pressure, flight phobia, communicable diseases, and a list of precautions to take while travelling.
- The Health Tips for Airline Travel published by the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA).
Where can my physician find out whether my particular illness makes me unfit for travel?
The Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) article on "Medical Considerations for Airline Travel" is specifically meant for physicians. Physicians can also check IATA's Medical Manual, providing guidelines on fitness to fly.
LEARN MORE
Do you suffer from jetlag? You are not the only one! In this 3 min podcast, we give you pratical advice on how to best adjust to time zones and how we can help our bodies cope with effects of long flights.
