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Sty in the Sky

Saw this article in the WSJ about how dirty airplanes are. Here's an excerpt:

Still, the airlines say their schedules for cleaning aircraft haven't changed this summer despite the rampant delays. JetBlue Airways Corp. says its planes undergo a "maximum deep clean" once a month, same as before, a process that includes a thorough cleaning of the lavatories and galleys, vacuuming of carpets and cleaning of seats, seat trays and side walls. Southwest Airlines Co. says its deep-cleaning cycle is 30 days, too. AMR Corp.'s American Airlines says it also keeps a 30-day average. Continental Airlines Inc., like many airlines, says its planes also undergo an overnight cleaning, which includes replacement of soiled pillows and blankets, vacuuming of cabin floors and cleaning of lavatories and passenger seating areas.

Between flights, though, the cleaning tends to be cursory. American says that it picks up trash and cleans seat-back pouches between flights, but that it doesn't wipe down tray tables or vacuum while at the gate unless there's an obvious mess that must be addressed. ATA Airlines Inc. also says it doesn't wipe down tray tables between flights unless there's a clear need because of the limited ground time.


Note to self - careful what you touch on those planes.
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