Empty Middle Plane Seats Reduce COVID Exposure By 57%

The COVID-19 pandemic has called into question many of the everyday mundane things so many people hadn’t previously given much thought to, including how close we are to others in shared spaces, like an airplane cabin. It’s also causing people to want to move around again & travel.

As more & more people are becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 & the prospect of traveling for work/leisure becomes a more widespread possibility in the coming months (how exciting!) A new report by the CDC shows that one safety measure, adopted by many commercial airlines at the start of the pandemic, is actually extremely effective in helping to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

Researchers from the CDC & Kansas State University found that the risk of being exposed to the virus may be reduced by 23% (single-aisle airplanes) to 57% (twin-aisle airplanes) when compared to a full occupancy flight.

To some, it may seem like a waste of space, on the airline’s part.  But if it means more people are able to fly, with a reduced risk of exposure, I would personally be happy to pay extra for a window seat.