The study by the National Research Council says air circulated on most full-size jets passes through hospital-grade filters, which are designed to remove 99.9 percent of bacteria.
Cabin air is refreshed about 15 times an hour, compared to 12 times an hour in office buildings.
Health officials say you're more likely to pick up a bug touching a bathroom door-knob or over-head bin on a plane, than through the air.
