Quantcast

Airlines employ varied strategies for efficient aircraft interior cleaning

LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Airlines employ varied strategies for efficient aircraft interior cleaning
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

After an aircraft lands, airlines aim to prepare it for the next flight as quickly as possible. Different methods are employed to clean the aircraft efficiently. Ryanair and Southwest Airlines are known for their quick turnaround times of 25 and 35 minutes, respectively. However, these times can extend up to 60 minutes depending on various factors.

During short-haul flights, passengers may observe cabin crew cleaning the aircraft rather than dedicated cleaners. The process involves removing trash, wiping visibly dirty areas, and preparing seatbelts for the next passengers. Cleaning practices differ between airlines and flight types; while low-cost carriers focus on speed, flag carriers like Emirates emphasize customer service and luxury.

"The cleanliness of an airline cabin is about both function — health and safety — as well as the overall passenger experience," according to ABM Aviation reported by How Stuff Works. Cleaning efficiency is achieved through just-in-time manpower allocation.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

ABM Industries offers three cleaning options: turn clean, overnight clean, and deep clean. Turn clean involves light cleaning focusing on galley areas and trash removal. Overnight clean is more thorough with increased attention to customer areas around seats. Deep clean includes a comprehensive cleaning of seat areas and surfaces using specialized equipment.

John Alford from ABM Aviation states that "ABM provides an experienced and professional management team who direct a highly-skilled, engaged mobile workforce." This approach ensures efficient cleaning within tight timeframes with minimal disruptions.

Short-haul flights often present challenges due to tight schedules. Delays in deplaning or late arrivals can reduce available cleaning time, necessitating additional crew members for quick turnarounds.

In addition to surface cleaning, maintaining air quality is crucial in aircraft cabins. According to IATA, "the quality of supplied air on board an aircraft is much better than most indoor environments." Air filters are used to minimize disease transmission risks in modern cabins where airflow patterns help maintain cleanliness.

Aircraft air is refreshed 20-30 times per hour with a mix of HEPA-filtered and fresh air. HEPA filters remove over 99% of germs effectively.

Cleaning extends beyond interiors; mechanical parts like engines also require maintenance similar to car washes for exterior cleanliness.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.

Jun 7, 2025

Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.

Jun 6, 2025

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025