How clean do you find shorthaul aircraft?

7 replies

andyf

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 07 Dec 2014

Total posts 55

How clean do you find shorthaul aircraft?

I flew SYD-ADL this week, and didn't think the aircraft was particularly clean (food stains here and there etc). Not really a surprise since you board immediately after they offload the inbound flight.

Has anyone else found Virgin shorthaul planes (particularly later in the day) to be a bit icky? Do they get cleaned at all during the day? Is Qantas just as bad, or does it have longer turnaround times to allow cleaning the plane?

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1,010

They save money in our deregulated zoo. You cannot really blame business for this - they simply deliver what herd asking. And herd wanna save a dollar.

GBRGB

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2014

Total posts 295

I think the airlines are their own worst enemy here. Some of the snacks they serve just crumble all over the place. Sometimes you get out of your seat and floor looks like you just finished eating 100 lamingtons.

sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

Member since 30 Nov 2015

Total posts 419

Great question. 'Icky' describes them as they really are. I have a friend who only travels domestically  and always brings antiseptic wipes to disinfect the tray table down, a haven for germs. I read a report recently which claimed Airline tray tables have the worst concentration of bacteria on them. Even on my International Business trips on Emirates on occassion I can clearly see 9A has been well used before, the simulated burr walnut sometimes shows sticky marks and stains, dissappointing. Not everyones housekeeping is the same as our own.  Standards are falling, things must be grim on LCC's. My brother is an A320 pilot, and heaps of them don't even eat the provided food, they prefer to bring their own. When you consider all those passengers coughing and spluttering in that incubator environment, it's any wonder people get off feeling sick. People are slobs, and cleaning is done to a quick pick and flick in the plastic bag in between flights, gone are the days of the on board hoover coming out after the last passenger has exited. The old seat pocket trick is always interesting, if you wanna see what the previous occupant was doing, just check what's been left behind in their, they are always interesting, kinda like compost bins. Todays Cabin crew are more concerned in balancing their floats and counting the uneaten sandwiches for the food audit.

drsimon50

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Oct 2013

Total posts 81

SGB we always take antibac wipes when we travel to wipe screen/controller/trays etc - coffee stains - sticky fingers etc etc thats just the stuff you see - never mind the microbes - and as for the toilets!

sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

Member since 30 Nov 2015

Total posts 419

Yes it sounds grim doesn't it, and as for sticky toilet floors...

I don't think we could even take Glen20 on board with aerosol restrictions etc., some of those seats could do with a dousing of antiseptic spray.

drsimon50

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Oct 2013

Total posts 81

i know this is about domestic - but it always makes me laugh on long haul when people go to the loo in their socks! even if they are the free airline ones - how do you know water on the floor is water? - Glen20 does sound a great idea but am sure i would be rounded up and shot for disinfecting the plane - often get enough 'looks' when wiping with wipes never mind spraying down the plane!

russell

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2011

Total posts 236

The reality is that bacteria is all around us and on us. You encounter it every day of your life. I dont find myself being concnered about it on a plane. Of course I expect it to be clean, but if you get to the point of wiping down the tray table with sanitary wipes, then you are on a slippery slope as you will be wanting to wipe down every surface you touch going forward to achieve the effectiveness you are seeking.

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