Flight Attendants Reveal Their Best Kept Flight Secrets

6. What About Breathing in Plane Air?

Given the potential for airborne illnesses, it’s natural to worry about the air quality in a confined space like an airplane cabin. After all, how can we be sure about the effectiveness of cabin ventilation systems, especially when healthy passengers are sharing the cabin with someone who might be coughing or sneezing? While there are occasional horror stories of passengers contracting airborne illnesses on flights, generally speaking, you can breathe easy on a plane. This reassurance comes from the advanced air filtration systems used in modern aircraft. Most commercial airplanes use a "bleed air" system, which combines recirculated cabin air with fresh, breathable air from outside the plane.

This system draws fresh air through the engine’s compressors. The air is then cooled, humidified, and mixed with recirculated air that has passed through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These HEPA filters are capable of trapping most viruses, bacteria, and other airborne particles. The resulting air quality is typically comparable to or even better than the air in a standard office building.

Additionally, the entire volume of air in the cabin is usually refreshed every two to three minutes, more frequently than in most buildings. This constant air exchange helps to dilute any potential concentration of contaminants. While maintaining good hygiene—such as regular handwashing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing—is important, you can generally rest assured about the quality of the air during your flight.