Working To Ease Passengers' Fears Under Coronavirus Cloud
In an effort to reassure passengers that it is safe to fly during the Coronavirus outbreak, airlines are stepping up their cleaning procedures to keep their airplanes free of the virus.
Fox News reports that Delta Airlines has released a video showing workers moving through an airliner cabin with a device that sprays a disinfectant on all surfaces with which passengers might come in contact. The fogging procedure "isinfects surface areas that we all touch in the aircraft. The procedure uses a safe, high-grade EPA-registered disinfectant that is highly effective against many communicable diseases, including coronaviruses. Following the fogging procedure, cleaning crews thoroughly clean cabin surfaces including tray tables, seatback screens, and lavatories,” the airline says.
Southwest has also "enhanced" its cleaning process. According to a company news release, Southwest Airlines aircraft are maintained in accordance with an established program aimed at providing a clean and inviting cabin environment. "In addition to tidying each aircraft between flights, we spend more than six hours cleaning each aircraft every night. And, as of March 4, 2020, we have enhanced our overnight cleaning procedures. Typically, we use an EPA approved, hospital-grade disinfectant in the lavatories and an interior cleaner in the cabin. Now, we are expanding the use of the hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the aircraft, and it will be used in the cabin, on elements in the flight deck, and in the lavatory. These procedures meet or exceed recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Additionally, we equip all our aircraft with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which filters out recirculated air onboard each plane to remove airborne particles. HEPA filters are also used in hospitals to provide patients with clean air," the airline said.
American Airlines says on its website that its cleaning practices have always met or exceeded all CDC guidelines. "We have a strong, structured cleaning regimen and our aircraft are cleaned each day at key touchpoints on their journeys with an EPA-approved disinfectant," the carrier said. Additional steps taken by American include:
- International flights and aircraft with additional time on the ground receive a detailed 30-point cleaning package each day. All aircraft also undergo a deep cleaning procedure on a regularly scheduled basis.
- We are enhancing our cleaning procedures on international flights and aircraft that remain overnight at an airport. This move, which will touch the majority of our aircraft each day, includes a more thorough cleaning of all hard surfaces, including tray tables and armrests.
- Most of our aircraft are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that provide a complete air change approximately 15 to 30 times per hour, or once every two to four minutes. A HEPA filter's complete air change is better than most other forms of transportation and office buildings’ and similar to the standard for hospitals.
- We’re provisioning hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for crew members on all international flights across the Pacific Ocean and to Italy. We are working to expand this measure to all flights in the near future.
Airlines are also cutting some flights due to reduced demand. You're advised to check with your carrier prior to leaving for the airport. Airlines are also posting schedule changes on their websites.
(Source: News releases and as cited. Image from Delta video)
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