Planes are breeding ground for germs

BOSTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- During cold and flu season one of the dirtiest parts of a plane can be the seat back pocket, U.S. travel experts advise.

"Airplanes are a breeding ground for germs, and this year, the added threat of H1N1 gives travelers even more reason to be careful when flying," Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel, a travel advice resource, says in a statement.

To help people avoiding catching a disease while flying, Banas recommends to:

-- Don't put your belongings in the seat back pocket. Passengers store everything from used tissues to dirty diapers in there, making the pocket a holding tank for germs and bacteria.

-- Ask for bottled water whenever possible; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the aircraft's holding tank water often contains total coliform bacteria.

-- Avoid using blankets and pillows offered by the airline personnel because they are rarely laundered and can harbor germs.

-- Wipe down the armrests and tray table with a sanitizing wipe.

-- Use tissues to flush toilets and turn faucets and doorknobs in the bathrooms.

"One recent study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research says that passengers are more than 100 times more likely to get sick on an airplane compared to everyday circumstances," Banas adds.