As millions of Britons prepare to pack their bags for summer getaways, a new report has revealed many plane passengers are also bringing some rather unsavoury in-flight habits on board.
Research from travel insurance specialists AllClear has unveiled that a whopping 70 per cent of British air passengers admit to unhygienic behaviour while flying.
From bare feet on seats to plucking eyebrows mid-flight and to shoeless trips to the loo, not only do these habits make fellow passengers uncomfortable but they may also contribute to the spread of germs and bacteria inside the cabin.
Two former flight attendants spoke with AllClear to lift the lid on the least sanitary parts of the plane – and the habits they’ve seen first-hand.
Among the worst offenders are seatback pockets – which 3 in 10 passengers (30 per cent) still use to store snacks and personal items, despite their reputation for harbouring germs and ‘rarely being cleaned’ in between flights.
One ex-attendant recalled: ‘Sometimes dirty nappies and used sick bags would be left in seat pockets. Where possible, travellers should try to store snacks in resealable containers and sanitise their hands if they use the pockets.’
Next on the list are tray tables. They’re not only used for meals but also for everything, from laptops to nappy changes – and these surfaces are rarely given a proper clean.
One former flight attendant said: ‘Tray tables are probably among the most unsanitary parts [of the plane] – cleaners would often use the same cloth for every table.’
3 out of 10 plane passengers use seatback pockets to store snacks and personal items, despite their reputation for harbouring germs and ‘rarely being cleaned’ in between flights
Tray tables are not only used for meals but also for everything from laptops to nappy changes – and these surfaces are rarely given a proper clean
Almost 1 in 5 travellers (19 per cent) admitted to resting their heads directly on them without sanitising first – a habit most common among Gen Z passengers, who are four times more likely to do so than passengers aged 55 and over.
Another option for flyers to avoid resting their face on the tray table, seat or any other surface is by bringing a neck pillow to lean on and get some rest whilst travelling.
The experts do recommend keeping the neck pillow clean and giving it a wash after every trip so no germs and dirt can build up.
Meanwhile, 13 per cent of passengers admit to visiting the plane toilet in just socks – or worse, barefoot.
One ex-flight attendant noted: ‘The flooring where the trolleys are kept is one of the areas that doesn’t get cleaned as much.’
Instead, travellers could use disposable slippers or airplane-provided socks.
One in 10 travellers admit to resting their feet on the seat or armrest in front, 6 per cent say they’ve plucked their own hairs mid-flight.
Most shockingly, 6 per cent of passengers fess up to changing a baby’s nappy directly on a tray table or seat.
Letitia Smith, head of communications at AllClear, said: ‘Travelling the world to discover new cultures and cuisines is something many of us look forward to, especially over the summer. But staying healthy during the journey is important.’
The aircraft toilet may be one of the most contaminated areas on board, yet more than one in five passengers admit to using it barefoot or in socks
One in 10 travellers admit to resting their feet on the seat or armrest in front
‘Simple habits, such as using hand sanitiser, bringing protective footwear or avoiding personal grooming in shared spaces, can make a big difference. We want people to enjoy their holidays without picking up illnesses that could potentially be avoided.’
It comes as a flight attendant has revealed three annoying habits that she believes should be made ‘illegal’ on plane journeys.
Dallas-based air hostess Cher Killough, who has worked in the industry for five years, recently took to TikTok to call out bad in-flight etiquette – including three of her biggest passenger pet peeves.
According to Cher, the most irritating behaviour is ‘manspreading’ or, more specifically, ‘manspreading when you’re in a middle seat’.
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