BOSTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- SmarterTravel(R), a comprehensive travel advice resource for the budget-conscious consumer, today offered tips for staying healthy while traveling, including some of the dirtiest parts of the plane you should avoid, especially during a highly contagious cold and flu season.

"Airplanes are a breeding ground for germs, and this year, the added threat of H1N1 gives travelers even more reason to be careful when flying," said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel. "We designed these tips to help travelers stay healthy while traveling - especially in the close quarters of an airplane."

Here's a sample of tips to help people travel smart and avoid catching a bug:

    --  Don't put your belongings in the seatback pocket. Passengers store
        everything from used tissues to dirty diapers in there, making the
        pocket a holding tank for germs and bacteria.
    --  Ask for bottled water whenever possible; according to the EPA, the
        aircraft's holding tank water often contains total coliform bacteria.
    --  Avoid using blankets and pillows offered by the airline personnel, as
        they are rarely laundered and can harbor germs left by previous
        passengers.
    --  Wipe down the armrests and tray table with a sanitizing wipe.
    --  Use tissues to flush toilets and turn faucets and doorknobs in the
        bathrooms. Traces of E.coli can be found in many airplane bathrooms.
    --  Pack items in plastic bags to prevent germs from spreading to your
        personal items.
    --  Drink plenty of water and skip the onboard spirits, which can cause
        dehydration.

More tips can be found here.

Banas adds, "One recent study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research says that passengers are more than 100 times more likely to get sick on an airplane compared to everyday circumstances. It's important, now more than ever, for travelers to take these extra steps to prevent any illness."

About SmarterTravel

SmarterTravel provides independent advice and analysis that helps travelers find the best deals and get the most value from their trips. SmarterTravel has an unbiased team of travel experts who analyze travel trends and offer money-saving strategies and travel tips. For more information and travel advice, visit http://www.smartertravel.com.

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CONTACT: Denise Welch of Dotted Line Communications, +1-781-849-2022,
denise@dottedlinecomm.com, for SmarterTravel