Airport workers shared information about which areas on an airplane are considered the most contaminated and explained the reasons for this condition. Passengers are advised to think twice before storing personal items such as phones, books, passports, or water bottles in seat pockets.
According to flight attendants' reports, the rear seat pockets are among the dirtiest places because they often accumulate trash left by passengers. According to a Travel + Leisure report, many flight attendants note that used napkins, empty wrappers, food scraps, dirty tissues, and sometimes items that are unsafe to touch without gloves remain in these pockets. This is why the crew tries not to put their personal belongings in these pockets.
Furthermore, the tray table is also on the list of surfaces with a high concentration of microbes. Passengers use it for eating, placing laptops, and feeding small children. Although the plane undergoes cleaning after every flight, deep disinfection of all surfaces is not always possible due to limited time.
Another flight attendant mentioned that during long flights and constant use, it is difficult to completely clean glasses. Therefore, she prefers to drink water from tightly sealed bottles whenever possible. She advised passengers to bring their own water bottle or use the airline's bottled water.
Experts advise thoroughly washing hands before eating on the plane. Sanitizer should be used after using the restroom. If possible, one should bring their own water bottle. It is also recommended to wipe tray tables and armrests with disinfectant wipes before use.
Specialists insist on wiping the tray table with a disinfectant wipe after boarding the plane. Additionally, you should avoid putting mobile phones, food, or other items into the rear seat pockets that might subsequently come into contact with your hands or face. Carrying hand sanitizer and wet wipes during travel is also a good habit. Washing hands before eating and avoiding contact with unnecessarily dirty surfaces can make your trip safer and cleaner.
