How often do plane cabins get a deep clean?

What airlines are doing to keep their plane cabins free from germs

Here is what each of the following airlines say about cleaning the cabins of their planes.

Aer Lingus         

Aer Lingus says: We have introduced an enhanced cleaning system on all of our aircraft. The interior of every plane is thoroughly disinfected daily. All of our aircraft are fitted with state-of-the-art air filtration used in operating theatres in hospitals.

Air New Zealand             

Air New Zealand says: Our jet aircrafts are fitted with hospital-grade air filtration systems that filter out viruses and all our aircrafts are thoroughly cleaned using anti-viral cleaners. High touch surfaces onboard are disinfected and cleaned frequently.

American Airlines           

American Airlines says: We clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces in the airport, like kiosks, ticket counters and seating areas. On our planes, we deep clean tray tables, seatbelt buckles, armrests, window shades, seatback screens, doors and overhead bin handles.

British Airways 

British Airways says: The airline is cleaning all key surfaces including seats, screens, seat buckles and tray tables after every flight and each aircraft is completely cleaned from nose to tail every day. The air on all British Airways flights is fully recycled once every two to three minutes through HEPA filters, which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with over 99.9% efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating theatre standards.

easyJet

easyJet says: On top of our current daily schedule, we’ve added even more cleaning and disinfection for aircraft cabins. Every aircraft has a daily disinfection process that provides surface protection from viruses for at least 24 hours.

The airline adds: Our aircraft are fitted with the latest, state-of-the-art filtration technology that clear 99.97% of airborne contaminants in the cabin, including viruses and bacteria. These filters are also used in hospitals and replace cabin air every few minutes."

Jet2      

Jet2 says: All our planes are professionally sanitised nose to tail every day with disinfectant. Plus, they’re kitted out with HEPA filters like those used in surgical theatres. These keep the air fresh by removing 99.97% of bacteria every few minutes.

Ryanair

Ryanair says: All the aircraft are fitted with state of the art filters – which remove any airborne particles while you travel –  and every aircraft is disinfected daily with chemicals that are effective for over 24 hours.

TUI       

TUI says: All our aircraft are fitted with state-of-the-art filtration and ventilation systems, to clean the air and flow fresh air through the cabin every few minutes.

Virgin Atlantic   

Virgin Atlantic says:  Electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant in all cabins and lavatories before every flight, ensuring no surface is left untouched.

Wizz Air             

Wizz Air says: The air inside modern airplanes is filtered to the same standard as in hospital operating rooms, as the air is changed many times through high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) that remove 99.97% of airborne viruses and bacteria, according to the International Air Transport Association.