Snakes on a plane might make for a fun movie, but potentially deadly bacteria on a plane is what travelers really need to worry about, says a new study from Auburn University.

Kiril Vaglenov, a graduate student in Auburn's Biological Sciences department, conducted a two-year research project funded through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airliner Cabin Environmental Research Center. The work was intended to determine just how long E. coli O157:H7 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, are able to survive and linger on commonly-touched surfaces under typical airplane conditions.

Vaglenov's findings, presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, suggest bacteria can linger in commercial airplane cabins for up to a week on the surfaces of objects such as armrests, plastic tray tables, seat-pocket cloth, window shades and metal toilet buttons.

"Our data show that both of these bacteria can survive for days on these surfaces, particularly the porous material such as armrests and seat-pockets," said Vaglenov in a news release. "Air travelers should be aware of the risk of catching or spreading a disease to other passengers and practice good personal hygiene."

For bacteria to be transmitted to a person from a cabin surface, it must first be able to survive the environmental conditions existing in an airplane.

The study, which simulated the temperature and humidity levels typically found during commercial flight, revealed MRSA survived the longest -- 168 hours on material from a seat-back pocket -- while E. coli O157:H7 lived 96 hours on material from a plane armrest.

"The point of this study is not to be alarmist, but to point out to the airlines the importance of providing a sanitary environment for travelers," said professor Jim Barbaree, the director of the study who mentored Vaglenov through the research. "We want to work with them to minimize the risks to human health."

Vaglenov said future work will include looking for effective disinfecting procedures, along with testing other surfaces and materials that have antimicrobial properties to find if they can help reduce the health risks of airplane bacteria.

The Auburn team has already started investigating how long pathogens that cause other diseases like tuberculosis can survive inside an airplane.

Meanwhile, the Renegade Health Website lists the following 10 tips to protect yourself against potential infection during plane flights:

  • Keep your immune system strong;
  • Go to the bathroom in the airport and wash your hands;
  • Carry disinfectant wipes;
  • Protect your hands;
  • Don't touch your face;
  • Try to sit near the front;
  • Avoid coffee and tea;
  • Take your own snacks;
  • Take your own pillows and blankets;
  • Don't read the magazines.