Keeping middle airplane seats vacant could cut the risk of exposure to the coronavirus by 23% to 57% compared with a full flight, according to a simulation study on physical distancing onboard released on Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The researchers based their findings on laboratory modeling of exposure to the coronavirus on single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft.
“It is important to recognize that the current study addresses only exposure,” not actual transmission resulting in infections, and it did not consider the impact of masking, the researchers said.
U.S. airlines blocked middle seats early i…
Keep on reading: Empty middle airplane seats would cut coronavirus exposure – study