Airplanes and Microbes: What’s Really in the Air Up There?
Microbes on the Move: The Airplane Cabin Microbiome
It's time to rethink what’s swirling in the air above your tray table. Every year, billions of people squeeze into airplane cabins, sparking concerns about germs and health risks. Yet, thanks to advances in microbiology, we now understand the microbial landscape of airplanes far better. A recent study flew ten transcontinental flights across the US, collecting hundreds of air and surface samples to map out the "airplane cabin microbiome"—and the results might surprise you.
What Did Scientists Find?
The major players weren't menacing pathogens, but common and mostly harmless human commensals (the bacteria that normally live on our skin and in our mouths). The most prevalent were in the Propionibacteriaceae family—skin microbes that thrive on both air and surfaces. These were joined by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (oral bacteria), Enterobacteriaceae, and soil-borne Burkholderia. In essence, the airplane cabin’s microbiome mirrors what you’d find in homes, offices, classrooms, or subways, with plenty of overlap in the types of bacteria found here and elsewhere.
Is Flying Really Riskier for Germs?
The sensational stories about “filthy skies” mostly miss the mark. This research found no greater microbial risk inside a plane compared to spending similar hours in an office, assuming no ongoing infection outbreaks. Most airborne and surface microbes are not dangerous, and it’s rare to encounter true pathogens on a flight, outside extraordinary situations. The cabin cleaning routines, frequent air filtration (with HEPA filters!), and use of outside air help keep the environment in line with many built spaces.
Urban Microbiology Beyond Airplanes
Why does this matter to all of us in public health and microbiology? Understanding built-environment microbiomes helps shape cleaning routines, architecture, and even building ventilation. From caravans to hospitals and premium airline cabins, microbial research guides us to create healthier spaces and identify hidden risks—like mould outbreaks after water damage, which is another hot-button issue in homes, apartments, and mobile spaces.
Getting Involved: Science for Socials
At Biological Health Services, I’m passionate about bringing microbial science to life—online and in person. In the coming weeks, keep an eye on my social channels where I’ll be sharing results from some fresh urban microbiology experiments. Whether it’s the hidden fungi in caravans or the skin microbes on plane armrests, you’ll see how easy it is to uncover your environment’s microbial ‘fingerprint’ and what it means for your health.
Why Microbial Baselines Matter
Studies like these set a crucial baseline for understanding what’s “normal” in built environments. They help us spot anomalies—like pathogenic outbreaks—more quickly and develop protocols to erase leftovers from previous passengers. As the science evolves, we’re not just chasing germs; we’re building safer, healthier spaces for everyone.
Want to know more about reducing your risk at home or on the go? Reach out via my website for environmental health assessments, air and surface sampling, and expert advice on mould, water damage, and more. Let’s bring urban microbiology out of the lab and into your life!
REFERENCE:
Weiss H, Hertzberg VS, Dupont C, Espinoza JL, Levy S, Nelson K, Norris S; Fly Healthy Research Team. The Airplane Cabin Microbiome. Microb Ecol. 2019 Jan;77(1):87-95. doi: 10.1007/s00248-018-1191-3. Epub 2018 Jun 6. PMID: 29876609; PMCID: PMC6318343. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6318343/
