Traveling the world in an airplane used to give passengers a sense of adventure, prestige, and wonder. Now though, most airport travelers just want to get through the process with some of their dignity intact. To make matters worse, the surprisingly gross things about airplanes could make you long for cross-country car rides. Let's face it: getting around in a passenger plane is not for the faint of heart.
Sure, no one expects the cabin to be as sterile as an operating room. It's a tiny space filled with people who cannot leave, so it's bound to get a little rank from time to time. That said, some of the true facts about plane travel could make the chillest person bathe in a tub of hand sanitizer. Some gnarly bugs can hang out in an airplane cabin for days on end, and the most germ-filled spot on the plane is likely just a few inches away from your hand.
Germs aside, there are some other facts about flight that may give you a moment of pause. For instance, not every passenger is in the realm of the living, so to speak. What's worse, your fellow passengers may decide to do some private hygiene upkeep at 39,000 feet — right beside your chair. With joys like these, you might hop a bus instead.
1The Water
You may want to BYOW. According to Business Insider, one out of eight planes do not pass the EPA's standard for water safety. Even drinks that use hot water, such as coffee or tea, may not be the best choice.
2The Sky Germs
Planes are basically flying tubes of nastiness: this isn't news. But as noted on the website for TIME magazine, intense bugs such as MRSA and E. coli 0157 have been detected in airplane cabins. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a stubborn strain of staph bacteria that does not respond to many antibiotics, whereas E. coli O157 bacteria can result in severe abdominal distress, according to the Mayo Clinic. Yikes.
3The Seat Pockets
Lest you think the airplane bathroom harbors all the germs, it's the surfaces around you that may be the most yucky. The seat-back pocket, of all places, may have more germs than a toilet handle, according to Live Science. Maybe find some other place to stow your tablet?
4The Passengers
It's sad to think about, but when a person dies away from their final resting place, their remains may be shipped out via air transportation, as noted by US Funerals. Someone's remains or cremains may be on board your plane, and you'd never know it.
5The Food
Sure, the state of airline food has given comedians material for decades. It isn't anyone's favorite meal. But according to the website for ABC News, a company that produces food products for many airlines had reported infestations of ants, flies, and roaches. And I thought the idea of snakes on a plane was scary.
6The Other Passengers
Hell is other passengers. According to HuffPost, airplane passengers have performed pedicures in their seats, dried sweaty socks on air vents, and much worse. Take a moment to honor your flight attendants: they have probably seen some stuff.
7The Blankets & Pillows
Now I'm regretting those times I snuggled up with that free scratchy blanket. According to USA Today, it's difficult to say how often those airplane pillows and blankets are actually laundered. Bringing your own comforts from home may be a cleaner choice.
8The Bathroom
OK, so no one considers an airplane bathroom the beacon of all comforts and cleanliness. But as noted by Conde Nast Traveler, there aren't any laws saying airplane bathrooms must be cleaned regularly. The best you can do is hope your particular airline values a healthy dose of disinfectant on the regular.
9The Extra Crago
Your plane may occasionally have some body parts in the cabin. According to the website for Men's Health, domestic flights often have organs for transplant on board. If nothing else, your flight might have a little extra heart.
