This Is the Worst Seat on a Plane for Your Skin, According to a Former Flight Attendant

Flying, as any frequent traveler will tell you, can do a number on your body. From bloating to sore muscles and even plugged-up ears, a lot can happen at 35,000 feet. As one former flight attendant warns, it can also wreak havoc on your skin. But there is one easy way to at least help that last one, and that’s by picking the right seat. 

In December, Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform, collaborated with ex-flight attendant Danielle Louise to explain how cabin airflow patterns can affect your skin and to share the exact seats most likely to leave passengers with tight, flaky, or dehydrated skin.

As Louise explained, the humidity level inside a plane cabin can drop below 20 percent during flight, making the onboard environment drier than the Sahara. Louise added that, combined with the plane’s recycled air, UV exposure at altitude, and limited movement, certain seats can accelerate moisture loss far more than others. 

“People don’t realise that where you sit on a plane genuinely impacts your skin barrier,” Danielle Louise, beauty expert on the Fresha app, added. 

As for the worst seat in the house for your skin, that (dis)honor goes to the window seat. Here, Louise and Fresha explained, travelers can experience “High UV exposure, minimal airflow, and cold wall temperatures,” which draw moisture out of the skin.”

Next on the list is the front of the cabin (sorry, Business Class flyers), and the last five rows. That’s because “air pressure and humidity fluctuate most in takeoff/landing zones.” 

Where your skin will fare moderately better is in the bulkhead rows, thanks to the extra legroom, which allows for stronger airflow that comes directly from overhead vents.” Better yet is the seats above the wing, as the “aircraft structure helps stabilise pressure and humidity shifts.”

“Window seats get the harshest UV exposure, even on cloudy days, because you’re thousands of feet closer to the sun and light reflects off the clouds. It’s a recipe for dehydration,” Louise added. “The front and back sections of the aircraft also suffer from more dramatic drops in humidity. Your skin can lose moisture rapidly, especially if you’re already wearing retinol or acids.”

So, where should you sit instead? According to Louise, the absolute best seat you can choose for your skin is a mid-cabin aisle seat. That’s because, here, there is “stable airflow, fewer temperature swings, and easier movement which supports better circulation.” 

No matter where you sit, Louise said there are a few ways to protect your skin while flying, including skipping any “active ingredients” like retinol 24 hours before a flight, as they can be drying. Next, make sure to apply a barrier cream in the airport, “not after you’re already onboard,” to give you a mid-air glow. And remember to slather on a little SPF, especially in a window seat, as UV can penetrate the cabin windows. 

Finally, a critical tip: “Drink water early, not just when the cart comes round.” This way, you can land looking and feeling your best.