Given the rapid spread of the COVID-19, many people who have to travel by plane are worried they will be affected with the coronavirus while sitting in a tight cabin. The risk of infection on airplanes is actually pretty low if appropriate self-protection measures are taken, said an expert from Xiamen Airlines.

Q: Which kind of transportation vehicle has the lowest risk of coronavirus infection?

A: Airplanes.

Q: Is it easier for virus to spread in an air-tight plane cabin?

A: No. The cabin may seem air-tight, but it is actually ventilated.

Generally, the engine sucks outside air into an airplane, and the air, after being conditioned into appropriate pressure and temperature by the environmental control system, will flow into the cabin through the air supply port on the cabin ceiling.

In the cabin, the air flows in circle and is discharged through the exhaust air grille on the bottom of the cabin side plate into the recycle system in the lower plane body, where it is mixed with fresh air and reenters into the cabin, while the remaining air is discharged outside the plane.

The air in the cabin will be completely replaced every 2-3 minutes, or 20-30 times every hour. This kind of up-bottom air circulation not only ensures the freshness of air in the cabin, but also effectively reduces the possibility of virus spread on board. 

In addition, the cabin temperature is usually maintained between 22-24oC and the humidity generally not above 15%, which also significantly reduces the infectiousness of viruses and inhibits their spread.

Q: How is the air quality in the cabin?

A: The air quality is comparable to that of an operation room.

All airplanes of Xiamen Airlines have been equipped with the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter system, which can strongly absorb particles in the air. Similar to equipment used in hospitals, the system can effectively eliminate all kinds of contaminants, viruses and germs in the air. For instance, it can eliminate 99.9% of the coronavirus.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner not only has HEPA filter, but also equipped with gas filter system that can eliminate undesirable odors, irritants and gaseous contaminants, generating cleaner air. Therefore, the air in cabin is comparable to that in an operation room.

Q: Since the air circulation system of airplanes is so powerful, is it still necessary to wear masks onboard?

A: Yes. If a passenger sneezes in the cabin, the air around him will swirl repeatedly and then is discharged through the filter, so other passengers around this passenger may still be infected. Besides, the passengers face the risk of being infected on their way to the airport and at the airport. So it is important that passengers wear masks.

Q: How should passengers protect themselves after they are aboard?

1. Wear a mask

Although the HEPA filter system is powerful, the risk of infection still exists if you sit in the same row as or in the two rows in front of or behind the infected person. So wearing a mask means an extra insurance.

2. Sit apart from other passengers

Sit as dispersedly as possible if there are not too many passengers onboard to minimize the possibility of coming into contact with or inhaling the droplets of infected persons.

3. Control meal intake

Passengers are recommended to control their in-flight meal intake. If you must eat, please remember to wash your hands and avoid using your hands to touch the food directly.

4. Minimize contact

One way the coronavirus spreads is through contact, so you should minimize your contact with other passengers and the flight attendants during the flight. And you should also avoid contact with public spaces, such as the tray table.

Xiamen Airlines has already streamlined its meal services. It now only provides simple bagged food on all domestic flights, which shortens the passengers' time for eating food and also minimizes the contact between flight attendants and passengers.

5. Reduce the usage of lavatory

There are no sanitizers on planes as most of them contain hazardous ingredients, such as inflammable, explosive or toxic contents. The lavatory will not be sanitized once the plane takes off.

Q: Can passengers take sanitizers with them onto planes?

A: No. Sanitizers mainly made of alcohol or sodium chlorate. Those contain inflammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or other hazardous ingredients are not allowed to be checked or taken on board. Also passengers should pay attention to the ingredients of the wet wipes or disposable hand sanitizers that they may want to take on board.