While millions of British are preparing to pack their bags for summer trips, a new report has revealed that many aircraft passengers also bring some unpleasant flight habits on board.
Research from travel insurance specialists Allclear revealed that 70 percent of British air passengers recognize unhygienic behavior while flying.
From bare feet on seats to eyebrows middle fly and to shoeless trips to the loo, not only fellow passengers make uncomfortable, but can also contribute to the spread of germs and bacteria in the cabin.
Two former flying servers spoke to Allclear to lift the lid on the least sanitary parts of the aircraft-and the habits they saw firsthand.
Some of the worst offenders are seats – bags – which still use 3 out of ten passengers (30 percent) to store snacks and personal objects, despite their reputation that they have germs and ‘rarely be cleaned’ between flights.
One former almost almost remembered: ‘Sometimes dirty nappies and used sick bags would be left in seats. Where possible, travelers should try to store snacks in resealable containers and disinfect their hands if they use the bags. ‘
Next on the list are tray tables. It is not only used for meals, but also for everything, from laptops to nappies – and these surfaces rarely get a good cleaning.
One former air hostess said: “Tray tables are probably one of the most unhygienic parts (of the aircraft) – cleaners often use the same cloth for each table.”
3 out of the 10 aircraft passengers use seats to store snacks and personal items, despite their reputation that they have germs and ‘rarely cleaned’ between flights
Tray tables are not only used for meals, but also for everything from laptops to cloth changes – and these surfaces rarely get a real clean
Nearly 1 in 5 travelers (19 percent) acknowledged that they had their heads rested directly on them without even disinfecting – a habit most found among Gen Z passengers, who are four times more likely to do so than passengers 55 years and older.
Another option for straw billers not to let their face rest on the tray, seat or any other surface is by leaning and resting a necklush while traveling.
The experts do recommend keeping the neckus clean and washing it after each trip so that no germs and dirt can build up.
Meanwhile, 13 percent of passengers recognize the airplane toilet in just socks – or worse, barefoot.
One former Flight attendant noted: “The floor where the trolleys are held is one of the areas that is not cleaned as much.”
Instead, travelers can use disposable slippers or socks provided by the aircraft.
One in ten travelers admits to resting their feet on the seat or armrest, 6 percent say they picked their own hair on the middle of the flight.
The most shocking is that 6 percent of passengers change the baby’s cloth directly on a tray or seat.
Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at Allclearsaid: ‘Traveling the world to discover new cultures and kitchens is something many of us are looking forward to, especially during the summer. But staying healthy during the trip is important. ‘
The aircraft toilet is perhaps one of the most infected areas on board, but more than one in five passengers admit to using it barefoot or in socks
One in ten travelers admit that they are ahead of their feet on the seat or armrest
‘Simple habits, such as using hand sanitizer, to bring protective shoes or avoid personal care in shared spaces, can make a big difference. We want people to enjoy their vacation without picking up diseases that could possibly be avoided. ‘
It comes as a Aircraft revealed three annoying habits, which she said should be ‘illegal’ on aircraft trips.
Air-Gas Woman Cher Killough, based in Dallas, who has been working in the industry for five years, recently took to Tiktok to call out bad label in the flight- including three of her largest passenger pets.
According to Cher, the most annoying behavior is ‘men’s spreading’ or, more specifically, ‘men’s spread if you are in a middle seat’.
