A viral video uploaded by content creator @HowDirtyIs shocked people for showing the disturbing quantity of bacteria on airplane seats and nearby surfaces, as per the New York Post.
During a Southwest Airlines flight, the creator swabbed different areas of his seat space such as the armrest, tray table, window shade, and even the in-flight guide and then sent the samples to the lab for testing.
“How dirty is a wee flight?” he captioned the video, recording the swabbing process before showing the test results.
Bacteria Levels Higher Than Airport Seating
In comparison to a prior test at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, which showed only a handful of ‘skin bugs’ on gate seating, the airplane results were much more concerning.
Showcasing a petri dish that contains airplane armrest bacteria, the designer gave fellow passengers some useful advice: “I recommend [a] long-sleeve shirt.”
An American Airlines flight attendant contributed as well, endorsing the tip, “The more surface you cover of your skin, the better for your biggest organ.”
The swab test did not end at the seat. The creator also took a sample from other high-touch points like the tray table, window shade, and safety guide all of which were revealed to have alarming levels of bacteria.
Social Media Reactions
The discoveries provoked strong emotions from the public. “New fear unlocked,” wrote one observer. Another added with a touch of humor, “The safety manual isn’t very safe!”
One cleanliness-conscious viewer posted their travel schedule: “That’s why I pack sanitizer and sanitizer wipes!! I disinfect everything!”
One extremely dismayed user even posted, “And now I’ll never fly again!!!”
As the clip continues to spread, it has also revived fears of germs on business flights. With so many passengers reconsidering how they prep for flying, the video is a grim reminder that carrying hand sanitizer and wipes may be as important as carrying snacks and pillow neck rest.
