Flight Attendants Reveal The Filthiest Places On A Plane

Nearly 3-million people fly in the U.S. every day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and they’re not all neat and tidy on board. Sure, cleaning crews work hard to get the plane tidy for the next flight, but they can’t get all the germs and crime wiped down in between.

As we all get ready to travel this holiday season, keep in mind that these are the dirtiest places on a plane, according to flight attendants:

  • Safety instruction cards - Flight attendant Josephine Remo says these cards in the seat pocket are the dirtiest spot on an airplane. She notes that the tray tables often get wiped down, but these instruction cards do not, so be sure to use some hand sanitizer after touching one.
  • Overhead bin - Remo suggests using a wipe or a cloth to open the overhead compartment, since they’re “touched by a lot of people” and are “rarely cleaned.” So have that hand sanitizer ready once again after you put your bags up.
  • Tray tables - “Passengers generally know airplanes are riddled with grime, but the tray tables go beyond general germs,” says flight attendant Sue Fogwell. She suggests wiping your tray down, especially before you eat and science backs her up. According to a 2015 study, tray tables had almost eight times more bacteria per square inch than the second-dirtiest place on a plane, the overhead air vent button.
  • Seat covers - They’re not replaced or cleaned between each flight, only if they’re reported, and even then, Fogwell reveals that “not every gross event is reported” because it could cause a delay.
  • Bathroom handles - While the toilets are cleaned regularly, the same can’t be said for the locks and door handles. That’s why Remo suggests passengers use hand sanitizer after putting their luggage away, touching anything in the seat pocket in front of them, or going to the bathroom.

Source: Travel and Leisure


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