Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: nudephil on 25/08/2020 18:03:39
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Here's a question from listener Ruth:
I am due to fly EasyJet from Bristol to Edinburgh in two weeks to see my family. I am 70 years old, fit, and with no underlying problems. I am a little anxious though about the one hour flight. Should I book a seat at the front of the plane (row 1 or 2), or is there any part of the plane likely to be more safer corona-wise?
What do you think?
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The safest is the one in the front of the plane - next to the pilot.
- But that one isn't for sale - it's reserved for the copilot...
Studies with spread of influenza on long-distance flights have shown that the spread is most likely within a range of 2 rows of seats from an infected person - in the same row, or 2 rows forward or backwards.
- The seat that has the lowest probability of having an infected person within 2 rows would be in the rear window seats, or front window seats (simply because there are fewer seats in the surrounding 2 rows).
I don't know how big a plane would fly from Bristol to Edinburgh (400 miles), but...
- Given the layout of typical jet planes, the rear row of seats is often passed by many people going to the rest room
- However, fewer people use the front rest room (reserved for first/business class), so I would suggest a front window seat
The above is based on statistics of what other people might do. There is something that you can do: wear a good mask, carefully fitted, and wash your hands before and after the flight. Don't take your mask off to eat any snacks or drinks on the flight.
- Hopefully, the airline will be encouraging other passengers to do the same...
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Easyjet use mainly Airbus A319 or 320, one class, so there's no chance of the front toilet being used by first class passengers.
The left front row has better air circulation than the right.
The overwing emergency exit seats have slightly more leg room so would be second choice after the front row, and they can't be occupied by children or anyone with a significant health condition, but they don't recline (none of the seats on Ryanair recline - it's no big deal for an hour) And you are least likely to be passed by people going to the toilet.
The flight is only an hour so you probably won't need to use the toilet or buy any refreshments.
Don't stand in a queue to get on the plane. I have no idea why anyone does but it's a known fact that everyone's IQ reduces by 30 points in the presence of an aircraft (and I speak as a pilot) and passengers behave like sheep. If you have a reserved seat, it won't go away. If you haven't, you really want to be last on the plane anyway, when everyone else has stopped faffing about and is sitting down (I also speak as a very frequent short-haul passenger). Don't pay for "priority boarding" - you just spend longer standing at the bottom of the stairs, surrounded by the Great Unwashed.
If you have a checked-in bag in the hold, you can stay well away from the scrum at the departure gate because the plane won't fly without you. They will page you when the last passenger (apart from you) has boarded. Everyone will glare at you, but it doesn't matter as you will never see them again.
Best place to hang out in the terminal is the suitcase or wristwatch shop - they are always empty because by definition everyone in an airport already has a suitcase and a wristwatch.