Flight Radiation Calculator

Calculate cosmic radiation exposure during airplane flights and compare with common radiation sources

Flight Radiation Exposure Calculator

Flight Duration

hours

Total flight time including connections

Radiation Dose Rate

Default: 0.003 mSv/h (3 μSv/h) average for commercial flights

Radiation Exposure Results

Total Dose

0.0000

mSv

Total Dose

0.0

μSv

% of Annual Average

0.00%

of US annual average

Calculation: 0 hours × 0.0030 mSv/h = 0.0000 mSv

Banana equivalent: 0.0 bananas

Chest X-ray equivalent: 0.000 chest X-rays

Cancer risk increase: 0.000000%

Safety Assessment

Common Flight Examples

New York to London (7 hours)

Flight Duration: 7 hours

Dose Rate: 0.003 mSv/h (3 μSv/h)

Total Exposure: 0.021 mSv (21 μSv)

Equivalent: ~210 bananas or 0.21 chest X-rays

New York to Tokyo (14 hours)

Flight Duration: 14 hours

Dose Rate: 0.003 mSv/h (3 μSv/h)

Total Exposure: 0.042 mSv (42 μSv)

Equivalent: ~420 bananas or 0.42 chest X-rays

Annual Flight Attendant Exposure

Annual Exposure: 1.5-1.7 mSv

Flight Hours: ~500-570 hours/year

Safety: Well within occupational limits

Comparison: 25-27% of average US annual dose

Radiation Comparison

Banana0.1 μSv

Airport Security0.02-0.25 μSv

1 Hour Flight3 μSv

Chest X-ray100 μSv

Mammogram400 μSv

CT Scan10-30 mSv

Annual Cosmic Radiation by Altitude

Sea Level0.26 mSv

1,000 ft0.28 mSv

3,000 ft0.35 mSv

5,000 ft0.50 mSv

8,000+ ft0.96 mSv

Cruising Altitude~3 μSv/h

Safety Guidelines

✓

Flight radiation is much higher than airport security screening

✓

Occasional flights pose negligible health risks

✓

Polar routes have slightly higher radiation levels

ℹ️

Pregnant women should consult doctors for frequent flying

ℹ️

Flight crew exposure is monitored and regulated

Understanding Flight Radiation Exposure

Why Do Flights Expose Us to Radiation?

At cruising altitudes of 30,000-35,000 feet, the atmosphere is much thinner than at ground level. This reduced atmospheric density means less protection from cosmic radiation coming from outer space. The higher we fly, the less shielding we get from the Earth's atmosphere.

Is Flight Radiation Dangerous?

•For occasional travelers, the exposure is minimal and not a health concern
•Flight radiation is much higher than airport security screening
•Flight crew exposure is regulated and monitored
•Pregnant women may want to limit very frequent long flights

Radiation Dose Formula

Total Dose = Flight Hours × Dose Rate

Total Dose: Radiation exposure (mSv)
Flight Hours: Duration of flight time
Dose Rate: Radiation per hour (typically 0.003 mSv/h)

Note: Dose rates can vary based on altitude, latitude, solar activity, and specific flight routes. Polar routes typically have higher exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is flight radiation dangerous for passengers?

For occasional travelers, flight radiation exposure is minimal and poses no significant health risk. A typical transatlantic flight exposes you to about 0.02-0.04 mSv of radiation, which is comparable to a few days of natural background radiation. Even frequent flyers receive doses well below levels that would cause health concerns.

How much radiation do you get on a flight?

The average cosmic radiation exposure during a commercial flight is approximately 0.003 mSv per hour (3 μSv/h) at typical cruising altitudes of 30,000-35,000 feet. This means a 5-hour flight would expose you to about 0.015 mSv (15 μSv), which is roughly equivalent to 150 bananas or 15% of a chest X-ray.

Why is there more radiation at higher altitudes?

Earth's atmosphere acts as a shield against cosmic radiation from outer space. At sea level, the thick atmosphere absorbs most of this radiation. However, at cruising altitude (30,000+ feet), the atmosphere is much thinner, providing less protection. This is why radiation levels increase significantly with altitude, and astronauts in space receive even higher doses.

Should pregnant women avoid flying due to radiation?

Occasional flights are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, pregnant women, especially flight attendants or frequent business travelers, should consult their healthcare providers. The International Commission on Radiological Protection recommends that fetal exposure should not exceed 1 mSv during pregnancy, which would require over 300 hours of flying.

How does flight radiation compare to airport security scanners?

Airport security scanners (both backscatter and millimeter wave) deliver extremely low doses of radiation—typically less than 0.25 μSv per scan, which is about 1/12th of the radiation you receive from one hour of flying. In fact, the cosmic radiation exposure during the flight itself is far greater than any radiation from airport security screening.

Do pilots and flight attendants face health risks from radiation?

Flight crew members are classified as occupational radiation workers because they can receive 1.5-1.7 mSv annually from cosmic radiation. While this is higher than the general population's exposure, it's still well within safe limits. Airlines monitor crew exposure, and regulations ensure that cumulative doses remain below occupational safety thresholds (typically 20 mSv per year).

Are polar routes more radioactive?

Yes, flights over polar regions experience slightly higher radiation levels because Earth's magnetic field is weaker at the poles, providing less shielding from cosmic radiation. However, the difference is relatively small—typically 10-20% higher than non-polar routes. Airlines flying polar routes do monitor radiation levels and may adjust flight paths during periods of high solar activity.

What factors affect radiation exposure during flights?

Several factors influence radiation exposure: altitude (higher altitudes = more radiation), latitude (polar routes have higher exposure), solar activity (solar storms increase cosmic radiation), flight duration, and the specific aircraft type. Commercial flights typically cruise at 30,000-40,000 feet, with some business jets flying even higher where radiation levels are greater.

How can I minimize radiation exposure while flying?

While you can't eliminate cosmic radiation during flights, you can minimize exposure by: choosing lower-altitude flights when possible (though this isn't practical for most commercial routes), avoiding unnecessary flights if you're pregnant or frequently fly, requesting non-polar routes if you're concerned, and keeping track of your total annual flight hours if you're a very frequent flyer. However, for most travelers, the benefits of air travel far outweigh the minimal radiation risks.