Transmission timeline of 7 passengers who tested positive after flying on the same airplane

This study found that inflight transmission of COVID-19 occurred between seven passengers, even though 5 tested negative before boarding.  They ultimately concluded that in addition to preflight testing, a pre-arrival quarantine is also necessary in order to prevent transmission during air travel.  

Bowdoin College

- Genomic Evidence of In-Flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Despite Predeparture Testing
-  In-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a review of the attack rates and available data on the efficacy of face masks

Air travel and COVID-19 transmission 

Swadi, T., Geoghegan, J. L., Devine, T., McElnay, C., Sherwood, J., Shoemack, P....de Ligt, J. (2021). Genomic Evidence of In-Flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Despite Predeparture Testing. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(3), 687-693.

Genomic Evidence of In-Flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Despite Predeparture Testing

This literature review finds that although the absence of much data finding inflight  transmission of COVID-19 is encouraging, there are cases in which this is not the case.  Therefore, there is no definitive evidence that fliers are safe.  

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