Deep vein thrombosis was often thought to be aggravated by sitting in the economy section of an airplane, but new research suggests the condition is more affected by whether or not passengers sit by a window. According to Fox News, researchers with the American College of Chest Physicians have found that patients who take the window seat on a commercial flight of longer than four hours are at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) than those who sit in a middle or aisle seat.
This remains true regardless of whether you sit in economy, business, or first class sections of an airplane, they said.
“Traveling in economy does not increase your risk of developing a blood clot, even during long-distance travel,” said researcher Mark Crowther of McMaster University in Ontario. “However, remaining immobile for long periods of time will.”
Lack of movement is exactly why DVT is more of a concern for passengers sitting near the window, Crowther said. People sitting in window seats are less likely than other passengers to get up and go to the bathroom, or just walk around in general.
“Long-distance travelers sitting in a window seat tend to have limited mobility, which increases their risk for DVT,” he explained. “This risk increases as other factors are present.”
