Long Lines, Shared Screens, and Hidden Germs: How to Stay Healthy During Holiday Travel

The holiday season is here — and with it comes crowded airports, packed flights, and plenty of travel delays. The problem has only worsened since the partial government shutdown began on October 1. The Federal Aviation Administration has reported staffing gaps in major cities like Boston, Atlanta, and Houston. When delays pile up, so do hours spent in crowded terminals — increasing the risk of exposure to bacteria on high-touch surfaces, including convenient check-in kiosk screens.

This article will cover the following topics to help keep yourself healthy:

• 5 High-Touch Areas That Can Get You Sick

• Ways Travelers Can Keep Themselves Safe

• Infection Control Measures Airports Can Take 

• Solutions for Maintaining Clean Surfaces and Screens

The Hidden Risks Lurking on Self-Service Kiosk Screens

Many germs you may encounter when traveling come from touchpoints , respiratory passages, and even fecal matter — a direct result of poor hand hygiene. Common bacteria found on high-touch surfaces include E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. Some pathogens like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) can survive on surfaces for up to five months under certain conditions.

Airport kiosks are convenient, but they’re also crawling with bacteria. Travelers eager to skip the line may not realize that these screens have been touched by thousands of hands before theirs. One study found that airport self-check-in kiosks contain more than 250,000 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria — more than 1,000 times the bacterial load of a toilet seat.

Experts also warn that much of this contamination comes from poor hand hygiene. Since the average traveler touches dozens of surfaces between security and boarding, a single airport kiosk can quickly become a germ hotspot. Touching these screens and then your face — something most people do unconsciously every few minutes — can lead to infection.

Four Additional Airport Hotspots

Even if you avoid dirty kiosk screens, other high-touch areas pose risks you might not think about like:

1. TSA Security Bins: Research found that half of all airport security trays tested positive for respiratory viruses. Since travelers place personal items like phones and keys inside these bins, germs can easily transfer from one passenger to another.
2. Escalator Handrails: Escalators move thousands of people daily and carry more than just luggage. Laboratory testing has detected traces of saliva, urine, and even fecal bacteria on public handrails.
3. Airplane and Public Restrooms: Public bathrooms host adenoviruses in roughly 70% of samples tested, according to multiple studies. These viruses can cause eye infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illness.
4. Gate Areas and Plane Surfaces: Armrests, tray tables, and seatbelt latches are often overlooked during cleaning processes. Gate bench armrests can have around 21,500 CFUs, while tray tables and seatbelts carry thousands more.

When you combine all of these exposures with extended layovers, the risk of getting sick becomes a very real concern.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

There’s no way to avoid every germ, especially when using the handrails, or when self service kiosk screens don’t have a cleanable screen protector. However, small habits can make a big difference.

Here are five tips to help you along the way:

• Wash and sanitize your hands often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when sinks aren’t available.
• Wipe down your space. Carry disinfecting wipes and clean tray tables, armrests, and seatbelts before settling in.
• Keep personal items off surfaces. Store phones, keys, and snacks inside bags instead of placing them directly on security bins or counters.
• Avoid touching your face. Germs enter through your mouth, nose, and eyes — especially after touching shared surfaces.
• Travel prepared. Pack extra masks, tissues, and sanitizers to protect yourself and others during delays or long flights.

How Airport Staff Can Help Maintain Clean Surfaces

While travelers can take precautions, airport employees and cabin crews play an essential role in reducing the spread of germs between flights. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides guidance on infection preventive measures.

Crew members are trained to treat all body fluids—such as respiratory secretions, blood, or vomit—as potentially infectious. After assisting travelers or handling contaminated materials, they are advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When sinks aren’t accessible, alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol provide an effective alternative.

Protective gear also plays a critical role. Flight attendants and cleaning staff use personal protective equipment (PPE) from onboard precaution kits when dealing with ill passengers or contaminated surfaces. Gloves are worn whenever touching potentially infectious materials, and they must be removed carefully to avoid contaminating skin or clothing. Soiled items and used PPE are disposed of in labeled biohazard bags, ensuring proper removal of containments.

The CDC further recommends that crew members avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed or gloved hands and wear masks when assisting passengers who display respiratory symptoms. Together, these preventive measures can help maintain cleaner environments throughout the airport and cabin, reducing cross-contamination risks between travelers and staff alike.

Seal Shield Proactive Solutions for Cleaner Screens and Travel Spaces

Airports are adopting technology to make travel faster, but cleanliness must evolve alongside convenience. That’s where Seal Shield’s infection-control solutions can help.

• Medical-Grade Screen Protectors: Ideal for self-check-in kiosks and touchscreens; these screen protectors are designed to withstand harsh disinfectants while maintaining clarity — making them perfect for high-traffic airport use.
• CleanSlate UV Sanitization Systems: A quick, no-touch solution for sanitizing phones, tablets, and wearable tech in just 20 seconds. Perfect for security checkpoints, staff lounges, or passenger areas.
• Washable Keyboards and Mice: For airport staff, fully sealed, waterproof peripherals — like the Seal Silk Pro keyboard and Seal Storm wireless mouse — make regular disinfection easy without risking device damage.

By incorporating disinfectant-ready equipment, airports can reduce bacterial spread while improving traveler and staff safety — a win for public health and passenger confidence.

Staying Healthy When Travel Gets Messy

As air travel continues to surge despite delays, one thing remains constant: the importance of good hygiene. From kiosk screens to keyboards, every shared surface tells a story — and not always a clean one. By taking preventive measures and using technology built for infection control, both travelers and airports can reduce the spread of harmful germs.

Contact Seal Shield today to learn more about how our solutions supports safer travel environments and clean surfaces through washable, durable solutions.