Flying can be an adventure, but have you ever considered just how clean—or not—your plane seats might be?
Airplanes are often less sanitary than you’d hope. Everything from the carpets to the overhead bins and tray tables can harbor germs. And now, a new scientific swab test has revealed just how much bacteria lurks right where travelers sit most: the plane seats.
In a trending TikTok video, uncleanliness content creator @HowDirtyIs documented an experiment aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. He collected samples from various surfaces including the seat’s armrest, tray table, window shade, and even the plane’s safety manual. These swabs were then tested in a lab—and the results were eye-opening.
Compared to a similar experiment on airport gate chairs at NYC’s LaGuardia Airport, the bacteria found on plane seats were significantly more concerning. While the airport chairs showed only a few skin-related bacteria, the airplane surfaces revealed a much higher volume of contaminants.
Health experts often advise travelers to wear long sleeves and pants when flying, a tip echoed by the researcher, who displayed a bacteria-filled petri dish taken from a seat’s armrest. One flight attendant explained the reasoning behind this advice: covering your skin offers added protection from bacteria found on plane seats and other surfaces.
The investigation didn’t stop at just the seats. Tests on tray tables, window shades, and the safety manual also returned high levels of bacteria, prompting viewers to express concern in the comments. “New fear unlocked,” said one user. Another added, “The safety manual isn’t very safe!”
While flying remains a convenient way to travel, these findings serve as a reminder that a little caution—like cleaning your plane seat before settling in—might go a long way.
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