Are boarding procedures risky? Avoid queuing in the aisle!

Planes shorten the distance between cities around the world, but they also carry potential health risks. Foreign studies have found that airport boarding sequences and the number of passengers on a flight can affect the spread of infectious diseases and germs internationally. For example, common boarding processes force passengers to queue in the aisles, or passengers rushing to disembark after landing and jockeying for position in the aisles both increase contact time among international travelers, raising the risk of disease transmission.

When waiting at the airport abroad, airports usually announce the boarding sequence first, with passengers boarding by class and seat zone. But sometimes, due to large crowds, passengers inevitably have to line up in the aisles to find their seats. According to a study by Arizona State University (ASU), dividing passengers into front, middle, and rear zones for boarding is the most questionable boarding sequence.

The study points out that multiple boarding sequences can easily cause congestion in the cabin aisles and lead to queues, prolonging the time passengers wait to be seated, thereby increasing close contact time among international travelers and also raising the risk of disease transmission. The best boarding sequence is to divide passengers directly into left and right sides for sequential boarding.

Moreover, the passenger capacity of an aircraft also affects the spread of infectious diseases. Compared to larger planes, the likelihood of infection transmission is significantly lower on smaller planes, with infection rates being relatively low on planes with fewer than 150 seats. The best way to reduce virus transmission during a flight is to speed up passenger seating efficiency and minimize contact in the aisles.