Everyone in Asia is in a little bit of frenzy right now due to the Novel Coronavirus, and staying clear of germs and viruses is the number one priority now for many people, whether you are a fervent germaphobe or someone who isn’t concerned about what you can’t see.
Airplanes are notoriously bad when it comes to germs calling it their home, and if you’re somehow brave enough to travel amidst the fear that’s spreading around, here are some ways to combat against the germ-infested planes.
1. Get Your Disinfectant Wipes Ready
Well, you can’t go charging into battle without your weapons right?
Disinfectant wipes are a pre-trip packing essential that every germaphobe has to have before the big fight against the horde of germs unseen to the naked eye.
Once you get past the many stares you’re inevitably going to get after wiping out those wipes, start wiping down all hard, non-porous surfaces. From your armrests to the seat belts, and even the tray table, oh especially the tray table which on average contains more germs than a toilet seat.
That’s the context for you.
If your seats are leather or vinyl, you should start wiping them down as well, including the headrest and especially if you have an aisle seat as many grab onto them for stability while moving up and down the aisles.
Do pay attention to the instructions on the packaging as various wipes require the surfaces to stay wet for a period of time ranging from as short as 30 seconds to a few minutes.
2. Don’t Wipe Down Upholstered Surfaces
If your seats happen to be upholstery, then, tough luck there bud.
Disinfectant wipes don’t work on fabric surfaces and will only make them damp. What we’d recommend doing is to bring a seat cover or a washable and reusable seat. It may be an added work and hassle for you but just think about the amount of germs that could possibly be on the seats and suddenly it doesn’t seem all that bad any longer.
3. Book An Early Morning Flight
This is one of the ways to minimise the number of germs you’ll need to fight on the flight.
Early morning flights tend to be scrubbed down a lot longer and harder as the planes are docked overnight, so they are generally much cleaner than flights that run later on in the day or at night. If you’re okay with waking up a little earlier, the early morning flights may be the one for you.
Another nugget of information, blankets and pillows are only freshly washed for the first flights of the day and they are only refolded for the subsequent flights. So, here’s a bonus tip, bring your own pillow and blanket or use a cardigan to minimise your contact with germs.
4. Watch Your Personal Hygiene In The Air
Because planes on average have a higher concentration of germs, personal hygiene management on board is incredibly important.
Aside from the wipes and hand-sanitizers, washing your hands is still the most important step you can take to protect your health while on flights. For maximum effectiveness, you need to use ample amount of soap, and scrub your hands for approximately 20 seconds.
By the way, proper washing of hands should be practiced every time and everywhere, and not just before you tuck into your reheated airplane meal.
5. Be Wary About The Seatback Pocket
The seatback pocket is often stuffed with all your informational needs, ranging from brochures on exit doors to on-board menus, and the occasional magazine. It is, however, quite possibly one of the most germ-infested parts of the plane.
Bringing a cloth or a cushion cover from home to act as a liner might be prudent, while a zip-lock bag can help prevent germs from hitching a ride on your personal belongings.
