Prognosis

Jetliner Cabins Are Quickly Cleared of Virus, Pentagon Says

  • Study finds 0.003% of infected particles approach a passenger
  • Defense Department runs tests aboard 777 and 767 wide-bodies
Photographer: Alessandra Tarantino/AP
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Particles the size of the new coronavirus are quickly purged from a commercial aircraft cabin, according to a U.S. Defense Department study touted by United Airlines Holdings Inc. in its effort to reassure wary travelers.

Filtration systems and rapid air-exchange rates mean that only about 0.003% of infected particles entered a masked passenger’s breathing zone, said the report, released Thursday.