Man sleeping with neck pillow in airplane
Some may surprise you (Picture: Getty)

When you think of how many people they transport every day, it’s hardly surprising that planes are a breeding ground for bacteria.

With some areas, in particular, being more germ-infested than others.

Now, a cabin crew member has shed light on some of the grimmest spots on a plane.

Travel tour operator Ski Vertigo and a seasoned flight attendant have teamed up to expose some of the dirtiest spots on an airplane – so you can be armed with anti-bac ahead of your next flight.

Perhaps unsurprisingly tray tables take the top spot, due to the fact they’re used for eating, entertainment, reading, resting objects and more.

‘Given their multifunctional use and the fact that cleaning crews often have limited time between flights, tray tables may not receive a thorough cleaning, leading to a significant buildup of bacteria and viruses. This makes them a prime location for the transmission of illnesses,’ said the travel tour operator.

Next up is the plane toilets, mainly down to their small space and high number of users.

‘The flush button, door lock, and faucet handles are touched by nearly every user, often without proper handwashing, making these surfaces a breeding ground for pathogens,’ they add.

Toilet sign on plane
Shocker, plane toilets aren’t all that clean (Picture: Getty)

Seat pockets also make an appearance on the list as they’re used to hold books, electronics, water bottles and travel essentials for multiple passengers every day, but they also tend to be used for rubbish, food wrappers and tissues – all of which fuels a growth in bacteria.

Window shades are another key culprit – and an area that’s not necessarily cleaned as often as others, according to the travel team.

Also, you might want to think twice before getting cosy in the pillows and blankets.

An expert previously told Metro, on long-haul flights these are ‘actually reused and they may only be clean for the first flight of the day.’

'Dirtiest places on a plane' exposed

  1. Tray Tables: These surfaces see a variety of uses during flights, from food consumption to being a resting spot for personal items and electronic devices. Given their multifunctional use and the fact that cleaning crews often have limited time between flights, tray tables may not receive a thorough cleaning, leading to a significant buildup of bacteria and viruses. This makes them a prime location for the transmission of illnesses.
  2. Bathrooms (Lavatories): Given the small space and the high number of users, aeroplane bathrooms are a hotspot for germs. The flush button, door lock, and faucet handles are touched by nearly every user, often without proper handwashing, making these surfaces a breeding ground for pathogens.
  3. Seat Back Pockets: These pockets are meant for storing items such as books, electronics, and travel essentials but often end up holding trash, used tissues, and food wrappers, which can contribute to the growth of bacteria. The cleaning of these pockets is not always thorough, leading to the accumulation of germs over time.
  4. Window Shades: Many passengers adjust the window shades throughout a flight, but these are not typically a focus during cleaning. This frequent contact by hands, which may not always be clean, allows for the transmission of germs to and from the shades.
  5. Pillows and Blankets: When airlines do not provide pillows and blankets in sealed packaging, there’s a risk they’ve been used by previous passengers without being properly cleaned. This can lead to the spread of skin cells, oils, and potentially infectious agents.
  6. Lavatory Handles: Every person who uses the lavatory touches the toilet and door handles, making them high-contact points for germs. These handles are a critical area for the transmission of bacteria and viruses, particularly if handwashing is not thorough.
  7. Seat-back Areas: This includes the seat-back screens, tray tables, and pockets. The high level of activity in these areas, combined with insufficient cleaning between flights, means they can harbour a wide range of germs.
  8. Seats and Seatbelts: Used by different passengers every day, these areas may not receive the level of cleaning required to eliminate germs between flights, making them potential vectors for disease transmission.
  9. Air Vents and Overhead Bin Handles: Frequently touched by passengers looking to adjust air flow or access their belongings, these surfaces are often overlooked during cleaning processes. The repeated contact facilitates the spread of germs.
  10. Headrests: Direct contact with passengers’ heads and hair means headrests can accumulate oils, sweat, and potentially infectious particles. Without regular and thorough cleaning, headrests can contribute to the spread of germs.

Ski Vertigo 

Seatbelts could be another spot to clean as soon as you sit down, according to the data, and don’t forget about those overhead lockers and their handles.

For those wanting to avoid these problem areas, the experts suggest hand-sanitising frequently, as well as using disinfectant wipes on high-touch areas.

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What’s more, it could be an idea to bring your own blankets or pillows with you for the flight, and to avoid touching your face on the plane, to prevent the spread of germs.

Flight attendant reveals fascinating reason cabin crew sit on hands during take-off and landing...

Eagled-eyed flyers may have noticed that cabin crew staff adopt an unusual position during take-off and landing.

Now a flight attendant has shed light on exactly why this is.

Henny Lim, a crew member with the Philippines-based airline Cebu Pacific, has taken to TikTok to share exactly why staff buckle up and sit on their hands during these particular times.

Sharing on the platform, Henny explains that it’s actually called the ‘bracing position’.

She adds that this position involves fastening seatbelts securely, sitting upright, sitting on hands – arms up, thumbs tucked – with loose arms, and feet flat on the floor.

Henny says in the clip: ‘The aim is to keep the body in a rigid pose so that if there was any impact from an unplanned emergency, the body is damaged less. 

‘This keeps body movement restricted so that there is less chance of injury if there was an impact.’

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