How Airlines Clean and Disinfect Their Planes

Watch Sam Chui get the first-hand experience of how airliners are cleaned and disinfected between flights.

Last week, I was shown by Etihad Airways how they clean and disinfect their Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Abu Dhabi. The cleaning crew and I changed into Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) outfit covered from head to toe.

The cleaning start from rear to front, top to bottom using cleaning and disinfecting agent Bacoban and a disposable cloth. Etihad Cleaning manager Anthony Foreman explains how the airline handles the cleaning and disinfecting after flying to high risk area. I was shown the cleaning performed in all cabin, galley, toilet and cargo hold.

I was also shown how they change the air filter inside the aeroplane. I was explained how HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing) work to ensure the air circulation is of the same standard as an operating theatre in a hospital. This video shows the deep clean and disinfect procedures. Only planes on ground over 4 hours or flown to/from high risk area are performed with such cleaning procedure. Planes with tight turnaround will only perform routine cleaning.