Tag: planes

The Three Germiest Spots in Airports and on Planes

Everyone worries about getting sick from that stale, recirculated air on planes.  But what you really have to worry about is the stuff you touch. 

A study looked at how many bacteria and fungal cells there were on different surfaces.  

Here are the top three things to worry about on the plane:

1.  The “flush” button in the airplane bathroom.  On average, they have about 95,000 CFUs per square inch.  That stands for “colony-forming units.”  95,000 is almost five times as much bacteria as you’ll find in the average kitchen sink.

2.  Your tray table, just under 12,000 CFUs.

3.  Your seat belt.  Specifically the buckle.  Just over 1,000 CFUs.

But the thing you really need to worry isn’t on the plane. 

It’s one of the first things you touch at the airport.  Here are three things to worry about before you board:

1.  The self check-in kiosks.  The screens had an average of 254,000 CFUs.  So almost three times as many as the “flush” button.  And one they tested had over a million.

2.  The armrests on the chairs at your gate, 22,000 CFUs.  That’s slightly higher than what you’d find in a kitchen sink.

3.  The button on water fountains, 19,000 CFUs.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that the easiest way to limit your exposure to germs is to wash your hands frequently… avoid touching your face… and wear a mask if you’re sick to avoid spreading it to others. And there’s always the option of wearing a mask yourself, if you don’t trust your fellow Americans to keep their germs to themselves.

Why Planes Dim the Lights Before Takeoff (Hint: It’s Not Mood Lighting)

Here’s a fun little nugget to file under “stuff that’ll make your next flight way more stressful.”

You know how the cabin lights get dimmed during takeoff and landing? It feels kind of relaxing, like they’re setting the mood for a nap or a mid-air spa day. Yeah, nope.

The real reason is much more unsettling.

Turns out, they’re not dimming the lights to soothe you. They’re doing it because those are the two riskiest parts of the flight, and if something goes wrong… you might need to escape in the dark.

The real reason for the moody lighting, according to industry experts, is to give your eyes time to adjust — just in case there’s a sudden loss of power and you need to make a quick exit.

Basically, they want you to be able to see the glowing “EXIT” signs and emergency path lights without your retinas screaming, “Why is it pitch black?!”

Unsettling, yes. Makes sense? Also yes.

Think about walking into a dark movie theater from the blinding afternoon sun. You’re bumping into chairs, whisper-apologizing to strangers, trying not to drop your popcorn. Now imagine doing that, but the theater is a plane, there’s no popcorn, everyone’s screaming, and the stakes are slightly higher.

The dim lights are a pre-game warmup for your eyeballs. If something goes sideways, you’ll be better equipped to see where you’re going instead of flailing around in the dark like you’re in the worst escape room ever.

So the next time you’re buckled in and the lights start to fade, remember it’s not about comfort. It’s about survival. Sleep tight!

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