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Airplanes represent an extraordinary feat of modern technology, symbolizing humanity's endless drive for innovation and a means of traveling anywhere on Earth. However, they also come with their own set of discomforts: crying babies, the hum of engines, and a shocking array of bacteria. Whether you focus on the marvel of flight or the unsettling realities, these top 10 terrifying facts reveal how the wonders of modern travel can sometimes be chilling.
10. There is no such thing as the safest seat
Every plane crash is unique, making it impossible to determine the safest seat until the incident occurs. The safest position depends on the type of crash—whether the plane dives, rolls, or lands on water. However, studies have offered insights into which seats are likely safer. In 2012, researchers used a crash-test Boeing 747, filled with dummies, and deliberately crashed it during an emergency landing simulation in the Mexican Desert. The front of the plane was the most damaged, with the cockpit being destroyed and seats thrown hundreds of feet away, making it highly likely that any passengers there would be seriously harmed or killed. A 2015 analysis by Times magazine, based on data from the Federal Aviation Administration’s CSRTG Aircraft Accident Database, found that passengers sitting in the middle of the rear section had the lowest fatality rates, at just 28%. In comparison, aisle seats in the center of the plane had a fatality rate of 44%. However, the chance of being in a plane crash in your lifetime is 1 in 1,800, compared to 1 in 112 for car crashes, so these statistics might be less significant than they appear.
9. The toilet isn’t the dirtiest spot on the plane
It’s alarming to realize that the place where people go to relieve themselves isn’t the most contaminated spot on an airplane. According to a 2015 study by TravelMath, while the flush handles have 265 bacteria colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch, there are other areas with even higher pathogen levels. The seat-back trays, for example, are covered with 2,155 CFU per square inch—eight times more than the flush handles. This is likely due to limited cleaning procedures; while staff can remove trash between flights, they don't have time for thorough sanitation. An Auburn University study revealed that bacteria on these trays can persist for up to seven days. Overhead vents, seat belt buckles, and headrests (which have been found with E. coli) are also concerning. With hundreds of passengers aboard each flight, the risk of germ transmission is immense and unpleasant.
8. That plastic-wrapped blanket might not be as new as you think
Airplane blankets have a notorious reputation, comparable to that of infamous figures like Al Capone. An investigation by the Wall Street Journal found that most of these polyester blankets are only washed once every 5 to 30 days, and they are reused between washings for different passengers. The fortunate few may receive a freshly cleaned blanket, but for everyone else, they are subjected to increasing levels of uncleanliness. Federal law requires these blankets to be treated with a chemical flame retardant, but that’s the extent of the regulation. People often believe that cellophane-wrapped blankets are clean, but lab tests have revealed yeast, mold, and bacteria on them. Laundry staff from one airline even admitted that only 20% of blankets with noticeable stains get washed. In some cases, airlines are charging passengers for blankets. So, the best advice might be to bring your own blanket.
7. Pilots sometimes fall asleep while flying
Boredom at work is a common issue, but a cockpit is certainly not the ideal place to take a nap. A 2012 survey by the European Cockpit Association, which included 6,000 pilots, assessed ‘fatigue levels.’ In Sweden and Norway, 3 out of 5 pilots admitted to making mistakes due to fatigue, and in Germany, this statistic rose to 4 out of 5. Even more troubling was that over 40% of British pilots confessed to falling asleep while in control of a passenger plane. Even more alarmingly, one-third of these pilots revealed that they woke up to find their co-pilot also asleep. Although pilots are allowed to sleep during flights, at least one must be awake at all times. The findings were so concerning that the European Cockpit Association described it as the most 'common, dangerous, and under-reported phenomenon in Europe'—before COVID-19, that is, though the 'under-reported' aspect still holds true.
6. You could be flying with just one engine
In the past, long-distance flights were typically operated by wide-body airliners with three or four engines. The reasoning behind using multiple engines was that more engines meant more reliability. However, these multi-engine jets are gradually being phased out and replaced by more fuel-efficient two-engine aircraft. While modern technology minimizes the risk of engine failure, it’s still possible for a plane to continue its flight with just one engine working. Even in the event of a dual-engine failure, a plane can glide perfectly, as long as air flows over the wings. Planes can remain airborne for up to 20 to 30 minutes without power before descending to the ground. Many people remember the dramatic 2009 Hudson River landing in New York, but despite the unsettling thought of flying with a single engine, the tiny microorganisms found elsewhere on the plane may pose an even bigger health risk.
5. Turbulence is becoming more intense
Most travelers have experienced the sudden chaos: an unexpected announcement, a scramble to secure seatbelts, and drinks spilling everywhere. Unfortunately, air turbulence is only going to get worse. Scientists predict that extreme turbulence will increase by several hundred percent in crowded airspaces over North America, Europe, and the North Pacific by mid-century. This rise is due to the expected doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Currently, the cost of turbulence to U.S. airlines is estimated to be $200 million annually, and this is expected to rise dramatically as turbulence intensifies. Ironically, according to a study published in Environmental Science and Technology, airplanes contribute 50 times more to warming per passenger mile than cars over a five-year period. In effect, airplanes are helping create their own problem.
4. The water may not be as clean as you think
If the earlier exposé on aircraft bacteria wasn’t alarming enough, consider this—The very water you drink on a plane may not be as clean as you think. A 2019 Airline Water Study examined the quality of tap water on both major and regional U.S. carriers, and the results were shocking. The researchers discovered traces of E. coli and coliform bacteria, both of which are found in feces, in the aircraft's drinking water. This water is used in the galley faucets, the lavatories, and to prepare hot beverages like coffee and tea. No wonder many flight attendants choose to avoid these beverages themselves.
3. Your oxygen mask will only supply air for 12 to 20 minutes
That’s right—those life-saving oxygen masks (though not as essential as COVID-19 face masks) will only provide you with between 12 and 20 minutes of breathable air. Thankfully, this is usually enough time for the pilot to descend to a safer altitude where supplemental oxygen isn’t necessary. What’s actually dispensed isn’t oxygen, but a chemical mixture that, when released, turns into breathable gas.
If you ever think about boarding a flight without a hazmat suit again—good luck, you brave soul.
2. You might have only 90 seconds to escape a burning plane
While pathogens are certainly unpleasant, they’re far less likely to be deadly than a burning airplane. To avoid causing panic, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that a plane be fully evacuated within 90 seconds. This is based on the fact that within that time frame, fire can quickly spread and engulf the cabin. If you want to maximize your chances of escaping, the best strategy is to sit within five rows of an exit. Otherwise… well, you can let your imagination take it from there.
1. Your meal might have been cooked days before you eat it
It’s no secret that airplane food is often bland, unappetizing, and quite possibly the worst thing ever served. But what's less known is that over a span of four years (2008 to 2012), the FDA found 1,500 violations in food preparation facilities that supply airlines. These violations included dirty utensils, pests like mice, roaches, and ants, feces, mold, and improperly refrigerated food. To make matters worse, scientists discovered that plastic cutlery exacerbates the problem by making food taste worse due to 'sensation transference.' Additionally, meals on planes tend to dry out, as French chef Raymond Oliver aptly put it with his ‘Wetter is better’ theory—saucy meals dry out less. Finally, you may think your meal was freshly prepared, but it was likely cooked anywhere from 12 to 72 hours before you ate it. Delicious, right?
