Infection risks in air travel: An overview of transmission pathways, risk factors and mitigation strategies

Air travel presents unique challenges for infection control due to confined spaces, recirculated air, and the large number of passengers moving through the environment. This article examines infection prevention strategies during air travel, focusing on the cabin environment, common health issues, types of infections, and their transmission mechanisms. A review articles highlights the specific risks air travel poses for the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, influenza, and other viral illnesses, and highlights the importance of robust measures to mitigate these risks. Limitations in current screening measures and furthermore, it explores effective mitigation strategies, including pre-boarding screenings, in-flight infection control measures, and post-flight interventions and emerging technologies to prevent these infection. This review also highlighted the role of cabin crew in infection prevention during air travel.