Study: Virus risk low via air on packed flight

A Defense Department study of the risk of catching the coronavirus on a packed commercial flight concluded that a person would have to be sitting

next toan infectious passenger for at least 54 hours to receive a dangerous dose of the virus through the air.

About the study

Researchers concluded, assuming that passengers wear surgical masks continuously, very little of the virus spreads because of how the air is circulated and filtered on the planes.

The study, which used a mannequin expelling simulated virus particles to determine how the virus spreads as an aerosol inside an aircraft cabin, had some limitations. But it offers a new way to try to understand the risks of flying during the pandemic.

In a briefing Thursday, the scientists and DOD officials involved in the study were careful to note those limita

tions but said the results were encouraging.

“Within the scope of the test, the results showed an overall low exposure risk from aerosolized pathogens like COVID19 on these aircraft,” said Vice Adm. Dee Mewbourne, the deputy commander of U.S. Transportation Command.

Why it matters

Significantly, the study did not examine the risk posed by the virus spreading in larger droplets that people can spread when eating or talking. Nor did it look at risks involved in getting to the airport and waiting to board a plane.

There have been few studies looking at real world cases, with scientists hampered by limited testing and contact tracing and the difficulty of pinning down infection with a virus that incubates over several days. The research that has been completed tends to date back to March, before the wearing of masks was widespread. United Airlines, wh i ch donated flight time for the

mannequin study, was less circumspect than the DOD officials, hailing the new research as “landmark.”

“Your chances of COVID

exposure on a United aircraft are nearly non-existent, even if your flight is full,” Toby Enqvist,

the airline’s chief customer officer, said in a statement.

The research was led and funded by Transportation Command, whichoperates Patriot Express, a program that uses commercial planes to transport members of the military and their families. The command wanted to determine

the risks of doing that during the pandemic.

ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM United Airlines, which donated flight time for the mannequin study, was less circumspect than the DOD officials, hailing the new research as “landmark.”