/https%3A%2F%2Fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fcard%2Fimage%2F736861%2F12222ff6-3f43-46d6-bc46-cf53fce88883.jpg)
Air travel is often depicted as a spreader of diseases around the world, given that it squeezes lots of people into a small space. However, a new study shows that you’re not likely to get the flu from a passenger seated more than 1 meter, or 3.3 feet, away from you.
The study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, claims to be the first to rigorously test the spread of viruses — specifically influenza — that are transmitted via large droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Researchers from Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Boeing employed teams of observers in pairs, sitting every five rows down in economy class in single-aisle aircraft during 10 transcontinental flights in 2012 and 2013. These observers watched and recorded the movements of passengers during the flight using an iPad app. Read more…
More about Science, Health, Air Travel, Flying, and Influenza
View More You’re more likely to get the flu from a sick flight attendant than a sick passenger: study
Google is rolling out a few new features to its Google Flights search engine to help travelers tackle some of the more frustrating aspects of air travel – delays and the complexities of the cheaper, Basic Economy fares. With the regard to delays, Google Flights won’t just be pulling in information from the airlines directly, however – it will take advantage of its… 
America’s top airlines are taking a stand against smart luggage. In a rare bit of solidarity, a number of the country’s top carriers have announced rules that would limit the use of high-tech bags, over fear of potential battery combustion. American Airlines led the charge on the ban. On Friday of last week, the carrier noted a policy change set to go into effect just after the… /https%3A%2F%2Fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fcard%2Fimage%2F666727%2Fea567962-ae18-4019-9f24-e011b03d067b.png)