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United Airlines: Dept. of Defense study says COVID risk on planes is 'virtually non-existent'

Oct. 15, 2020
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2 min read
United Airlines Boeing 787-10
United Airlines: Dept. of Defense study says COVID risk on planes is 'virtually non-existent'
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United Airlines is promoting a new study that finds a minimal risk from the coronavirus onboard an airplane, an effort that comes as United works to boost confidence in travel after a more than $1 billion loss in the third quarter.

The study conducted by the Department of Defense on United aircraft finds that the risk of breathing in a COVID-19 particle on a flight is just 0.003%, United said Thursday. The findings are based on every flyer wearing a mask and looked at the risks onboard a fully loaded flight.

Trade group the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Delta Air Lines have also touted a minimal risk of coronavirus infection on airplanes in the past week.

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United's publication of the findings comes as it reports a $1.4 billion net loss during the quarter ending in September. While far less than Delta's $5.4 billion loss over the same period, the Chicago-based carrier did not have the billions-of-dollars in one-time COVID-related expenses that Delta recorded during the period.

Importantly, United reduced its daily loss to an average of $21 million a day — or $25 million a day including debt payments — in the third quarter. Every U.S. carrier is focused on cutting losses, or cash burn, to zero as quickly as they can.

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United executives will discuss the results for the July-to-September period on Thursday.

Related: Risk of coronavirus on planes less than getting struck by lightning

This story will be updated with more details on United's results later on Thursday.

Featured image by NurPhoto via Getty Images

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