One thing most people can’t stand when traveling is the transferring of germs and sharing unsanitary spaces in an airport or on a plane. Airplanes are notorious for carrying germs with between 20-900 passengers getting on and off planes on any given day.

 

A new report from “Marketplace,” a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation consumer watchdog series uncovered the filthiest surfaces on any plane. 100 samples were taken and tested from headrests, seat pockets, bathroom handles, tray tables, and even seat belts.

 

Investigators took almost 20 flights between Ottawa and Montreal, on Canada’s major airlines like Air Canada, Porter and WestJet airlines. Microbiologist Keith Warriner from the University of Guelph found mold and yeast on a large number of the flights, along with high levels of bacteria and E. coli, according to Business Insider

 

Warriner said half of the contact surfaces contained high levels of bacteria, yeast or mold, putting passengers at risk for infection. Marketplace also found yeast, mold, and bacteria on airplane blankets. 

 

The reported also identified the reason for the filthiest surfaces: the flight attendants. Several admitted to Marketplace that there “simply wasn’t enough time to properly disinfect an entire aircraft.” Attendants admitted there wasn’t enough time to properly clean in between flights and the only effective cleaning is done on planes, not in service.

 

Porter Airlines addressed the results, asserting the airline cleans their planes in accordance with Canadian Public Health Agency and World Health Organization laws.

 

To halt the transfer of germs or any other filthy surface on a plane, carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down all surfaces. For some, it may seem like too much, but the safety of any traveler is paramount.