What’s the Real Story Behind Cleaning Airplane Blankets?

After navigating midmorning traffic, enduring the airport security line just long enough to spark a mild panic attack, and getting a TSA lecture on why peanut butter counts as a liquid, the idea of boarding your flight and settling into your seat with a Bloody Mary can feel like a mini-vacation. That is, until you consider how many other passengers have occupied that seat and pressed that same recline button.

In today's post-pandemic era, cleanliness is as crucial as legroom. However, there are no federal mandates specifying how or when airplane cabins and their various germ-ridden elements should be cleaned. While the CDC provides general guidelines for cabin crew, no government body oversees or enforces a minimum cleaning regimen.

“The FAA has an Aviation Maintenance Handbook that outlines cleaning protocols,” states Josh Kennedy, senior vice president of operations at Unifi, a company specializing in aviation services including cabin cleaning. “However, each airline and aircraft come with their own specific needs and procedures.” Kennedy speaks from experience, having started his career in the airline industry as a cabin cleaner, ensuring that crumbs are cleared from your row to the exit.

Despite the absence of a universal cleanliness standard, each airline has its own benchmarks. Moreover, the lack of industry regulation doesn't mean there's no oversight. Since 1999, the U.K.-based consultancy Skytrax has surveyed travelers, analyzed data, and unearthed grime to produce an annual list of the World’s Cleanest Airlines (among other World Airline Awards). While no U.S. airline made it into the latest top 20, Skytrax’s findings indicate that JetBlue was named the Cleanest Airline in North America for 2023, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) holding the top global position.

A representative from ANA stated that a third-party company manages their cleaning operations for both domestic and international flights, ensuring that the cabin is sanitized between each flight. Additionally, the flight crew monitors cleanliness throughout the journey. (Watch the team in action.)

Like many facets of air travel, the quality of cleaning often correlates with the ticket price. Larger airlines typically employ dedicated cabin cleaners for turnaround tasks, while “low-cost carriers usually require flight attendants to manage the cleaning themselves,” explains Catrina McGrail, a former flight attendant and creator of the 24 Hours Layover travel blog. Regardless of who cleans, it’s a careful balance of speed and teamwork.

“Cleaning time is highly limited, so staff must work efficiently and swiftly,” McGrail notes. “Every part of the seat area—including the tray table, seat pocket, and beneath the seat—must be thoroughly cleaned, alongside restrooms, aisles, and galleys. Crew members often have just about 10 minutes to clean the entire aircraft!” Simultaneously, used linens (like blankets and pillows) and catering items (such as plates and silverware) are removed to prepare for fresh supplies cleaned on the ground.

Several factors influence the time available for cleaning, according to McGrail, including the aircraft type and size (narrow-body versus wide-body), the flight's destination (long-haul flights typically stay on the ground for a minimum of 90 minutes, providing crews with extra time for thorough cleaning), and any delays (“in which case staff must clean faster to reduce further delays,” she clarifies).

Here’s an overview of how airlines manage the cleaning of different areas within the aircraft.

Seating Areas and Seats

For many travelers, your assigned seat is where you'll spend most of the flight. Whether you're napping, reading, rewatching Breaking Bad, or chatting with your neighbor, simply sitting down and buckling in involves interacting with various components of the seating area, like the seatbelt, armrest, seat-back pocket, and tray table. Consequently, these areas can become some of the dirtiest spots on a plane, necessitating special care between passengers—especially in a post-COVID environment.

Unifi, which operates at over 200 airports worldwide, employs and oversees cabin cleaning staff for several major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, Spirit, and Alaska. “Since the pandemic, we conduct more thorough cleanings than before,” states Kennedy, noting that before 2020, “sanitizing all touchpoints wasn't standard procedure. Touchpoints include tray tables, armrests, window shades, air vents, reading light switches, flight attendant call buttons, and overhead bin handles. These surfaces are wiped down and sanitized at every turn now, whereas they were only cleaned daily in the past.”

Restrooms

Depending on the aircraft type, a plane may have between 1 to 15 restrooms, serving anywhere from 15 to 80 passengers sharing the same facilities. Surprisingly, this doesn’t necessarily make them the dirtiest spot on the plane (your tray table might present a greater health risk). However, given the activities that typically occur in there, it’s not a space to linger—unless you're a cabin cleaner. Restrooms receive significant attention during the turnaround cleaning. “All lavatories are disinfected; trash is emptied, and supplies are replenished,” Kennedy explains.

Pillows and Blankets

If you're concerned about using a previously occupied blanket or pillow during your flight, McGrail suggests checking for plastic wrapping. Generally, airlines hire a separate cleaning service that removes all linens at each stop. According to McGrail, “Used blankets are taken off the plane and washed on the ground in boiling hot water, then packed in individually sealed plastic bags for the next flight. The sealed bags ensure passengers receive fresh blankets.” Additionally, all pillows and headrest covers are replaced, she notes. “While I can’t speak for every airline, I never encountered a situation where blankets were reused. It's highly unlikely for any airline.”

Dishes, Cups, and Cutlery

Similar to linens, airlines employ a dedicated team or catering service to clean all dishes, cups, cutlery, and other dining items. “All dishes, cutlery, and trays are removed and washed in industrial dishwashers on the ground,” McGrail explains. “Replacement cutlery is then placed onboard in individually sealed plastic, ensuring freshness for passengers. Thus, cutlery and plates from one flight won’t be reused on the next, as catering staff need time to clean and package them for future flights.”

Regardless of who performs the cleaning, Kennedy emphasizes that “cabin cleaning often goes unnoticed because it happens behind the scenes. It’s a challenging, physically demanding role that deserves more recognition. Passengers might not think about cabin cleaning during their travels, but if it weren’t done properly, it would be the first thing they noticed.”

How can you, as a traveler, assist the cleaning crew? When flight attendants make their final round down the aisle collecting trash before landing, be sure to hand yours over. “And don't forget to tidy up your seat area,” advises Kennedy. “Also, check those seat pockets to make sure you didn't leave anything behind as you prepare to exit the plane.”

One of the top recommendations for travelers, according to epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, and air-filtration experts interviewed by the New York Times in late 2022, is to wear a face mask. Dr. Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist, stated that masking is “the most effective tool we have to curb the spread of rising respiratory viruses, including COVID, influenza, and RSV.”

For those passengers who want to be particularly cautious, it's wise to prepare before your next flight: Bring disinfecting wipes to clean all hard, nonporous surfaces like the TV screen, remote control, tray table, and seatbelt buckle. If you want to enhance your hygiene routine even further, consider investing in a disposable airplane seat cover and travel table cover as well (just be ready for a few curious glances from your fellow passengers).