Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
31 July 2012 12:07
Researchers have looked at how resistant different airports are to the spread of disease
Even though you might feel in perfect health before you set off on holiday, it is still wise to take out medical travel insurance as you never know what might happen while on your travels.
And it's not necessarily the exotic location you're travelling to where you might pick up an illness, the danger might be much closer to home. With lots of people in one place - many of whom have just arrived back from far-flung locations - the airport you're taking off from, for example, could be a prime spot for disease to spread.
A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Civil and Environmental Engineering department, published in the journal PLoS ONE, looked at the 40 largest US airports to find out which ones would be the most likely to spread infections if there was an outbreak in their respective cities.
Numerous factors were considered such as passengers' travel patterns, the airport's geographic location, interactions between airports and even passenger waiting times.
The results were surprising as an airport's susceptibility to spread of disease were not necessarily linked to its size or how many travellers passed through it. Although John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and Los Angeles International Airport were the two most vulnerable, far smaller Honolulu International Airport was third on the researchers' list.
Despite it carrying only 30% as much traffic as Kennedy, Honolulu was ranked so highly because of its position in the air transportation network: in the Pacific Ocean, with many connections to distant, large, and well-connected hubs.
02 September 2019
If you're visiting the Land of the Rising Sun for the rugby, here's everything you need to know about the World Cup's host cities...
[more...]
Not ready to wave goodbye to summer? Discover our top European destinations for last-minute summer sun...
Already stressing about that 8-hour flight? Make your journey more comfortable with our top tips for flying long-haul.
Heading on holiday to Japan? Get the most out of your trip to Tokyo with these must-see places in the Japanese capital.
Are you going on holiday to Japan? Get the most out of your trip by discovering these alternative, off-the-beaten-track destinations that will show you a different side to the Land of the Rising Sun.
21 August 2019
Travelling to Japan to watch the rugby? Here's everything you need to know about visiting the land of the rising sun, from payment methods to convenience store drinking!
Ready to experience the drama of rugby's greatest competition? Here's our guide to getting close to the action with a trip to magical Japan.
08 August 2019
Looking to travel back in time? Walk in the footsteps of Zeus and Apollo as you explore some of Greece's most iconic historical sites.
Want to explore off the beaten track? Discover your new Grecian paradise in one of these secluded island locations...
Find your favourite Greek food with our guide on how to let your taste buds explore the delicious flavours of Greece.
Ever wondered what life was like in Ancient Greece? Explore the city that many call the birthplace of Western civilisation by visiting these fantastic attractions in the legendary city of Athens.
Which Greek Island should I visit? A common question if you want to experience the beauty of Greece's many islands. Find the answer in our quick guide to ten of the best.