![\"airplane](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/aircraft-seats-passengers-1-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, airlines would have different cleaning procedures for the aircraft, depending on the turnaround times between each flight. This usually involved wiping down surfaces with disinfectant, picking up rubbish and changing linens. International flights have a more detailed cleaning procedure since there’s more time between flights to clean the cabin. American Airlines<\/a> says their international aircraft receive a \u201cdetailed 30-point cleaning package each day\u201d. RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 6 airplane etiquette habits that are even more important right now<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the wake of COVID-19, most airlines have adopted rigorous new cleaning procedures, with guidance from the World Health Organisation<\/a> and government health advisories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Australian airline Qantas<\/a>, for instance, has introduced enhanced plane cleaning with a hospital-grade disinfectant effective against coronaviruses. They’re focusing on high contact areas like seats, seatbelts, toilets, air vents and overhead lockers. Southwest Airlines says they disinfect all hard surfaces within the cabin, along with seat and carpet cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific<\/a> is taking extra precautions on their aircraft when there is a confirmed case of coronavirus. This includes disinfecting all surfaces, carpets and galley equipment, replacing all seat covers, detailed cleaning of the bathrooms, replacing air filters and sterilising the water system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cathay Pacific has also temporarily stopped providing pillows, blankets, hot towels and magazines on flights to and from mainland China. Qantas has echoed this move and temporarily reduced their food and beverage service and removed inflight entertainment on their domestic flights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many airlines are also offering passengers face masks, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes in-flight so you can wipe down your own area for extra peace of mind. Emirates<\/a>, for instance, is providing a complimentary hygiene kit to passengers which include masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> How to stay germ-free when travelling<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most airlines including Qantas and all US airlines have their aircraft fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, called HEPA filters. The filters remove 99.7% of airborne particles including viruses and hospital operating rooms use the same filtration system. However, the real culprit is the extremely dry air in the cabin. The low humidity dries out your mucous passages in your nose, mouth and throat, making it easier<\/a> to catch an airborne disease. You should drink as much water as possible and use a nasal spray to help your mucous passages stay moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever wondered how clean is the airplane? You might have more peace of mind with this new cleaning method. Some airlines are rolling out a ‘fogging’ process on their aircraft. This means they spray a high-grade disinfectant through a fog machine which aerosolises the disinfectant and coats the air. The disinfectant sticks to all surfaces in the cabin as soon as it’s applied. This includes the seats, trays, ceiling, floors, bathrooms, galleys and crew rest areas and it’s highly effective in removing germs and bacteria, including coronaviruses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Delta has been using a fogging process on flights arriving in the US from Asia since February. They’ve since extended the procedure to all trans-Pacific arrivals and flights from Italy to the US. United Airlines<\/a> is also introducing a similar process on international flights arriving into its US hubs and Guam. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> <\/em>How to prioritise your health and wellbeing on your next trip<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most airlines now require their flight attendants to wear medical-grade masks and gloves while serving passengers. They’re taking extra precautions like giving passengers new cups for drink refills and removing hot towels.
Airlines also give the planes a deeper clean when they’re finished flying each day. This includes wiping down trays, seats, overhead bins and toilets with high-grade disinfectants. American airline Southwest<\/a>, says they spend more than six hours cleaning each aircraft every night, while most airlines remove aircraft from flight rosters every four to six weeks for a thorough scrub.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do airlines clean the planes after COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Extra sanitising<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"person](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/hand-sanitiser-3-1024x576.jpeg\")
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHigh-grade air filters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"airplane](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/airplane-seats-passengers-1024x576.jpeg\")
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Many of the filters actually draw in new air from outside the plane. The systems completely replace the air in the cabin every two to five minutes, so you can be sure you won’t be sitting in a tube of the stale air on your flight. In fact, your risk of catching an airborne disease on a plane is lower than in many other confined spaces thanks to the filters. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAirplane fogging<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Delta](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/Delta-cleaning-aircraft-cabin-1-1024x576.jpeg\")
Cabin crew hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Austrian](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/Austrian-airlines-cabin-crew-service-1024x576.jpeg\")
They’re also sanitising food service and galley equipment more often. United Airlines sanitises all their dishes, cutlery, glassware and tableware before they wash them. Delta and American Airlines sanitise all galley carts and disinfect linens and headphones separately. They also throw out any unused supplies after landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNew tech<\/strong>nology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Delta](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/06\/Delta-crew-cleaning-airport-1024x576.jpeg\")