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Disinfected Airlines

Travel with the Disinfected Airlines

During the coronavirus outbreak, aircraft cleanliness is important. We put a list of airlines that are taking extra measures to ensure the aircraft cabins are sanitized.

Two planes in the sky

How likely is in-flight transmission?

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the chances of in-flight transmission is very low. During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, there were less than five probable cases reported worldwide out of the 1.46 million passengers that travelled. All five cases occurred before airport security.


Air filters in modern aircraft can clean 99.97% of all particles including bacteria and virus. However, the risk still imposes when people come into physical contact with people or surface. You can visit our blog on 'How to avoid getting sick on a plane' to minimize the chances of getting infected.


In addition, airlines do clean their aircraft regularly to ensure there is a high standard of hygiene.

Airlines that are sanitizing their aircraft cabin

AirAsia

AirAsia is taking extensive measures to ensure cabin cleanliness. These measures include ventilating the aircraft, sanitizing the aircraft using disinfectant via gun-spray. Furthermore, the entire cabin is cleaned using clean cloth and water and cleaning staff ensures all clinical waste is disposed of according to the clinical hazardous waste procedures.


Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has been fogging aircraft using a high-quality disinfectant that are used in hospital since February when the coronavirus started in Asia-Pacific, every aircraft flying from the region has been disinfected. Since then, the airline expanding this procedure to many other flights. The disinfectant is effective for many communicable diseases including COVID-19. The aircraft is then deep cleaned by the cleaning staff, cleaning all the surfaces in the cabin.


Emirates

Emirates has a fleet of modern aircraft that are equipped with HEPA cabin air filter that removes 99.97% particles including dust and germs. The filters are replaced regularly to minimise the risk of infecting. All aircraft in their fleet are deep cleaned every day. If there are any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, Emirates will clean the aircraft with the enhanced cleaning protocols lasting up to eight hours.


Etihad Airways

All Etihad Airways' cabin surfaces and transfer services including the flight deck, toilets, seats, transfer buses are cleaned. The disinfectant used by the cleaning staff is approved by the Department of Health and effective for up to 10 days. The modern air filtering system replaces cabin air with fresh air every three minutes during the flight.


Thai Airways

Face mask, gloves are given to Thai Airways staff during in-flight services, cargo and meal preparations. The airlines also clean 36 contact points within the cabin to ensure hygiene in the cabin is up to standard.


Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways uses the cleaning products that are approved by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and WHO (World Health Organisation) to clean the cabin surfaces. Linen, blankets, utensils, cutlery and headsets are cleaned, sanitized and individually packed.

The airline reiterates that passengers' health and safety are always the airline's priority.


Vietnam Airlines

All aircraft flying from international destinations are subject to Vietnam Airlines' special cleaning procedures and aircraft that had suspected or confirmed cases onboard will be disinfected.


Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia's aircraft are cleaned every 24 hours minimum using the new cleaning chemical that has never been used in Australia. The cleaning innovation provides an invisible biostatic barrier on all surfaces to ensure the aircraft is always disinfected and safe for passengers.

Woman wearing a mask looking at flight schedule

How can travellers avoid getting infected when flying?

If you are travelling during these difficult times or cautious about aircraft hygiene, visit our page on 'COVID-19 Travel Advice'. There are precautionary actions that you can take when travelling. Please always remember to do the following:

  • Always wash your hands
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Cover your mouth while sneezing and coughing
  • Maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle

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