How to choose a seat when flying during the epidemic? Where is it safe to fly during the epidemic?

As we all know, due to the impact of the new coronavirus, many places have restricted travel, especially in various areas of Hubei Province. However, many people in many places will return to work, so how to choose seats when flying during the epidemic? Let's take a closer look!

How to choose a seat when flying during the epidemic

The risk of infection can be reduced by choosing seats properly. It is recommended to choose flights with fewer people, sit at intervals if possible, try to choose seats by the window, walk less, and avoid or avoid eating airplane meals during peak hours.

1. Sit at intervals

If someone sneezes on an airplane, the droplets will swirl within the same row and then be expelled, but it is not easy to spread to passengers in multiple rows in front and behind.

2. Sit by the window and avoid moving around.

Researchers at Emory University observed and counted the behaviors of people in different seats on flights (such as how often they moved around), and used a program to simulate the possibility of infectious diseases spreading in the cabin.

3. Skip or avoid eating airplane meals

It is recommended not to eat in-flight meals on the plane to avoid having to take off the mask. If the flight is long, you can wait for the passengers sitting next to you to finish their meals before eating.

Is it safe to fly during the epidemic?

During the epidemic, passengers can travel with peace of mind. Aircraft have good ventilation systems, and the cabin air is replaced every 2-3 minutes, 20-30 times per hour. The vertical ventilation system of the aircraft allows the air to flow up and down, rather than forward and backward; the aircraft's high-efficiency filter (HEPA) can effectively capture particles of 3 nanometers to 10 microns, and virus particles will not spread in the cabin through the aircraft's air conditioning system, which greatly reduces the risk of the virus spreading on the aircraft.

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, airlines strengthened aircraft ventilation, standardized aircraft environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures, and increased the frequency of daily cleaning and maintenance of the onboard recirculation air conditioning system. At the same time, they strengthened onboard health inspections, immediately isolated passengers in the last three rows if they were found to have a fever, and conducted terminal disinfection of the aircraft after the flight. These measures better ensured everyone's healthy and safe travel.

Can I carry personal protective equipment on an airplane?

The relevant person in charge of the Transport Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of China pointed out that there are many types of personal protective equipment, mainly including masks, goggles, protective clothing, disinfectants, etc. Some passengers may also carry thermometers and medicines. There are no restrictions on carrying some items that do not cause safety hazards, such as medical masks, N95 masks, goggles, ordinary protective clothing, etc.

How to protect yourself on the plane

1. Wear a mask

Although the HEPA filtration system is very powerful, if you really sit in the same row or the two rows in front or behind an infected person, there is still a risk of infection. At this time, it would be safer to wear a mask.

2. Separate seats

If there are not many passengers on the flight, please try to sit in separate seats to reduce or avoid the possibility of contact with or inhalation of patient droplets.

3. Reduce your diet

It is recommended to avoid taking off the mask to eat on the flight. If you must eat, remember to wash your hands and do not touch the food directly with your hands.

4. Reduce contact

One of the ways the new coronavirus spreads is through contact, so when flying, you should try to minimize contact with other passengers and flight attendants. Secondly, you should also try to avoid contact with public items such as small tables.

5. Reduce bathroom use

Since disinfectants often contain flammable, explosive, toxic and other dangerous ingredients, they are not equipped on airplanes. After the plane takes off, the toilets will no longer be disinfected at a high intensity.