Have you ever noticed how the moment you step onto an airplane, it feels like the rules of hygiene just vanish? It’s as if the confined space and recycled air turn us all into oblivious germ carriers. From the moment you buckle up, you’re surrounded by surfaces that have seen more hands than a high-five contest. And let’s be honest: not all of those hands are exactly clean. Studies have found that tray tables can be covered in bacteria, sometimes even more than toilet flush buttons.
But it’s not just the tray tables you should worry about. The seatbelt buckle, armrests, and even the seatback pocket are all hotspots for germs. Flight attendants have pointed out that these areas are often overlooked during cleaning, making them prime spots for bacteria to hang out. Let’s dive into 20 of the dirtiest places on airplanes, so you can be aware and take steps to protect yourself during your next flight.
Seat Pocket
Airplane seat-back pockets are often overlooked but can be surprisingly dirty. Tests have found that these pockets can carry bacteria like E. coli and mold, which can cause stomach issues and other health problems.
Flight attendants have reported finding used tissues, sick bags, and even dirty diapers in these pockets. This suggests that many passengers don’t dispose of their waste properly, leading to contamination. To stay safe, it’s best to avoid using the seat-back pocket for storing personal items.
Tray Tables
Airplane tray tables are among the dirtiest surfaces on a plane. Studies have found that these tables can hold over 2,000 bacteria colony-forming units per square inch, making them significantly more contaminated than the average home toilet seat.
This high level of contamination is due to infrequent cleaning between flights and passengers’ various uses, including eating, working, and even changing diapers. To minimize exposure to germs, it’s advisable to wipe down the tray table with disinfectant wipes before use.
Bathroom Handle
Airplane bathroom door handles are also among the most contaminated surfaces on a plane. Studies have found that these handles carry high levels of bacteria, including fecal coliforms, due to frequent contact by passengers who may not always wash their hands properly.
The confined space and high traffic in airplane lavatories contribute to the accumulation of germs on door handles. This makes them a significant point of concern for hygiene-conscious travelers. To minimize exposure, it’s advisable to use a tissue or paper towel when touching these handles and to sanitize your hands afterward.
Flush Buttons
Airplane bathrooms can be pretty gross, and one of the dirtiest spots is the flush button. Think about how many people use it and how often they wash their hands. Many travelers touch the flush button without cleaning their hands, leaving behind germs and bacteria. It’s a good idea to wash your hands well after using the bathroom and use a napkin to press the button.
Being aware of this germy spot can help keep you healthy during your flight. Always remember to use hand sanitizer after leaving the airplane bathroom. This simple step can protect you from getting sick and make your travels more enjoyable. Airplanes are amazing places, but staying clean is important for a safe journey!
Instruction Cards
Airplane instruction cards might look harmless, but they can be pretty dirty. So many passengers handle them without washing their hands. This means germs and bacteria can easily spread onto the cards, making them one of the airplane’s dirtiest spots.
To stay safe, try not to touch your face after looking at them, and remember to use hand sanitizer afterwards. Being careful with these cards can help keep you healthy and make your flight more secure!
Overhead Bin
Airplane overhead bins are convenient for storing your bags, but they’re also one of the dirtiest places on a plane. Passengers open and close them throughout the flight, spreading germs and bacteria on the handles and surfaces. Since bags can pick up dirt from different places, they can carry even more germs into the bins.
Also, airlines don’t always clean the bins thoroughly between flights. This means that germs can build up day after day. So when you’re reaching up to put your bag away or grab something, you might be touching some seriously dirty surfaces without even realizing it.
Touchscreens
Airplane touchscreens might seem fun to use, but they can be really dirty. Everyone on the plane touches them to watch movies, play games, or order food. But these screens don’t get cleaned after each flight. This means they collect germs from hundreds of fingers every day, making them a hotspot for bacteria.
Think about it: people touch these screens after eating, using the bathroom, or coughing into their hands. All those germs end up on the screen. And when you use it, those germs can get on your fingers and then spread to your face or food. It’s like touching a bunch of strangers’ hands all at once!
Seat Belt Buckles
Airplane seat belt buckles are way dirtier than you might think. Every passenger has to touch them at least twice during a flight – when buckling up for takeoff and landing. But these buckles rarely get a good cleaning between flights. This means they collect germs from hundreds of hands every day.
Think about all the things people touch before grabbing their seat belt: door handles, luggage, phones, and maybe even the bathroom. All those germs end up on the buckle. And since the buckles are made of metal, bacteria can live on them for a long time. So when you click that buckle, you’re basically shaking hands with everyone who sat there before you!
Seat Covers
Airplane seat covers may seem okay to sit on, but they can be pretty dirty. People sit on them for hours, leaving behind sweat, skin cells, and all sorts of germs. Some passengers even change diapers or wipe their noses and hands on these seats. The fabric soaks up all this yucky stuff, and it doesn’t always get cleaned properly between flights.
How many people use these seats every day? Hundreds of strangers sit, sleep, eat, and sometimes even drool on them. Airlines don’t usually deep clean seat covers after each flight, so germs can build up over time. This means when you sit down, you might be plopping onto a cushion full of other people’s germs!
Airplane Blankets
Airplane blankets can be a real germ fest. These cozy covers are used by tons of passengers, but they’re not always washed after each flight. People snuggle up with them, sneeze into them, and sometimes even use them to wipe their hands or faces. All this adds up to a blanket that’s crawling with invisible nasties.
Airlines often just fold up used blankets and put them back for the next person. This means you could be cuddling with something that’s been wrapped around dozens of strangers. The fabric can hold onto all sorts of icky stuff like dead skin cells, drool, and even tiny bugs. So next time you reach for that airplane blanket, you might want to think twice!
Air Vents
Airplane air vents might look innocent, but they can be pretty nasty. These little nozzles above your seat blow out air, but they also collect dust, germs, and tiny particles from all over the plane. Passengers often touch them to adjust the airflow, leaving behind whatever was on their hands.
The worst part? These vents rarely get a good scrub. Over time, they can build up layers of gunk from countless flights. When you turn on your vent, you could be blasting yourself with a cocktail of old germs and dust. It’s like having a mini germ-spreader right above your head throughout the whole flight!
Help Buttons
Airplane help buttons can be a hidden source of yuck. These little switches get pushed by all sorts of passengers, whether they’re feeling sick, need a drink, or just want attention. But they don’t get cleaned as often as you’d hope. So, every time someone presses that button, they’re leaving behind whatever germs they’ve picked up.
Think about it: people hit these buttons after using the bathroom, eating messy snacks, or coughing into their hands. And flight attendants touch them too, after serving many passengers. It’s like a germ party on a tiny switch! So, next time you need help on a flight, maybe use your elbow instead of your finger to press that button.
Window Shades
Airplane window shades can be surprisingly gross. Tons of people touch them during each flight, pulling them up and down to control the light. But these shades rarely get a good cleaning. They collect fingerprints, oils from skin, and all sorts of invisible germs from countless passengers.
What’s worse, the texture of these shades makes them perfect for trapping dirt and bacteria. People often lean on them while sleeping or resting their heads, adding even more icky stuff. And because they’re not smooth like other surfaces, they’re harder to wipe down quickly between flights. So when you’re reaching for that shade, you might be touching a mini germ playground!
Arm Rests
Airplane armrests are like germ magnets. Everyone uses them to get comfy or steady themselves when moving around. But here’s the thing: they don’t get cleaned much between flights. So, all those germs from different people just hang out there, waiting for the next passenger to come along.
Think about what people do during a flight. They eat snacks, read magazines, use their phones, and maybe even take a nap. All that stuff ends up on the armrests. Plus, the little nooks and crannies make it hard to clean them properly. So when you’re relaxing with your arms down, you might be sharing more than just space with your seatmate!
The Floor
The floor and carpet of an airplane can be super gross. Think about it: hundreds of people walk through the plane every day, bringing in dirt, grime, and germs from outside. While most of us keep our shoes on, tiny particles of dust and bacteria can still settle onto the floor, creating a less-than-clean surface.
Over many flights, these messes build up. Even though crews clean between trips, it’s hard to get everything. The carpet fibers trap lots of nasty stuff, making them a home for bacteria and other icky things you definitely don’t want to touch. So, it’s a good idea to keep your shoes on and avoid placing your personal items directly on the floor.
Aisle Seats
Aisle seats might seem cool, but they’re actually pretty icky. Every person who walks by touches the top of these seats for balance. That means all their germs get left behind! Think about how many people go up and down the aisle during a flight – that’s a lot of dirty hands.
Even if you can’t see it, the headrest of an aisle seat is covered in bacteria from hundreds of strangers. Next time you’re tempted to grab that seat for easy bathroom access, remember: you might be getting more than you bargained for. Maybe bring some hand sanitizer if you end up sitting there!
Headrests
Airplane headrests can be some of the dirtiest spots on a flight. A study found that they have a high count of bacteria, including E. coli. With so many people leaning back and resting their heads, germs easily accumulate on the fabric. These tiny organisms can cause stomach infections if they get into your system.
To avoid getting sick, consider bringing along sanitizing wipes to clean the headrest before settling in for your flight. You can also use a travel pillow to keep your head away from direct contact. A little care can go a long way in keeping you healthy while flying.
Airplane Pillow
Airplane pillows might look comfy, but they’re not as clean as you’d hope. Airlines don’t always wash them between flights. Instead, they often just fluff them up and reuse them. This means the pillow you’re snuggling could have been used by many other passengers before you.
Think about it – people drool, sweat, and breathe on these pillows for hours. All those germs build up over time. Plus, the pillows sit in overhead bins or seat pockets, which aren’t exactly spotless. If you want to nap on your flight, bringing your own travel pillow might be a smarter choice.
Tap Water
The tap water on planes isn’t as clean as you might think. It comes from tanks and pipes that don’t get cleaned very often. This means the water can be full of yucky stuff you definitely don’t want to drink. Gross, right?
Here’s the tricky part: the flight crew uses this same water to make tea and coffee. So, even if you’re not drinking plain water, you might still be sipping on some germs. Next time you fly, it might be safer to stick with bottled drinks or bring your own beverage from the airport.
Lavatory
Last but definitely not least, airplane bathrooms are probably the grossest spots on any flight. Think about it: tons of people use these tiny rooms during a long trip. They’re touching everything – the door handle, sink, toilet seat, and flush button. And let’s be real, not everyone washes their hands properly.
To make things worse, when you flush the toilet, tiny water droplets spray everywhere. Yuck! These droplets can carry germs all over the bathroom. Plus, the cleaning crew doesn’t always have time to do a deep clean between flights. So, when you use the airplane lavatory, try to touch as little as possible and use hand sanitizer after.
Air travel can be exciting, but it’s important to be aware of the less-than-clean aspects of your journey. From the headrests and tray tables to the in-flight pillows and even the tap water used for coffee, airplanes carry many hidden germs. Knowing these hotspots can help you take precautions, like carrying hand sanitizer and avoiding unnecessary contact with potentially dirty surfaces.
Your travel routine should start even before you board the plane. The airport itself presents its own set of challenges, from overpriced items to questionable food options. For tips on making smarter choices at the airport, check out our guide on “10 Items to Never Buy at the Airport“. By staying informed about both airplane cleanliness and airport shopping pitfalls, you can ensure a more comfortable and budget-friendly travel experience.