Doctor Reveals Best Airplane Seat To Avoid Getting Sick During The Holidays

With record crowds expected at airports this holiday season, travelers hoping to avoid picking up the latest seasonal bug may want to rethink where they sit on the plane. According to WebMD Medical Team member Dr. Neha Pathak, the biggest risk isn’t what you touch, but the air you breathe, since respiratory viruses spread most easily through close contact. To lower your chances of coming down with something, she recommends booking a window seat far from the restroom, which limits foot traffic and reduces how many people pass close by during the flight. That doesn’t mean surfaces don’t matter. Stomach bugs, which can survive for days, are more likely to spread through tray tables and airplane bathrooms. So Dr. Pathak also advises washing hands often, avoiding touching your nose and mouth, turning on the overhead air vent, and wearing a mask if you want extra protection. Together, those small choices can help make sure the holidays are spent celebrating, not sick in bed.