Landing in Sydney. Do they spray disinfectant?
Jan 4, 2024, 12:05 pm
#1
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Landing in Sydney. Do they spray disinfectant?
Probably wrong forum but maybe someone can answer. Looking to fly to Sydney Australia on United. I’m reading that when you land they spray insecticides inside before you’re aloud to exit plane. Any truth to this? Thanks
Jan 4, 2024, 12:19 pm
#2
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Aircraft disinsection
Aircraft disinsection helps to protect Australia from human diseases carried by insects.All aircraft arriving in Australia must be disinsected. This can include spraying insecticide in passenger cabins and cargo holds. The approved insecticide sprays do not harm human health when used as recommended.
DAFF manages aircraft disinsection for us. Go to their website to find out more about aircraft disinsection.
Jan 4, 2024, 12:27 pm
#3
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They used to do this many years ago, but I haven't experienced it recently (last flight US-AU was 2 weeks ago). It's possible they still do it, but it's done via the AC system on the plane?
Jan 4, 2024, 12:29 pm
#5
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Out of maybe 15 flights to Oz, I've experienced this either once or twice. And it might have been on a Hawaiian flight from HNL. Yes it happens sometimes (and it's mildly annoying and/or distressing when it does), but it's rare on United flights.
Jan 4, 2024, 12:37 pm
#6
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It’s been a while, but I do recall the bins being opened and sprayed.
This information appears to be current:
“All aircraft entering Australia must be treated with disinsection to prevent biosecurity risks as approved by the Director of Human Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) administers disinsection requirements on behalf of the Australian Department of Health.The department and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) New Zealand work in partnership to develop and regulate joint aircraft disinsection requirements.”
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/aircraft-vessels-military/aircraft/disinsection#:~:text=On%2Darrival%20%E2%80%93%20is %20an%20in,lasts%20for%20that%20one%20arrival.
This information appears to be current:
“All aircraft entering Australia must be treated with disinsection to prevent biosecurity risks as approved by the Director of Human Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) administers disinsection requirements on behalf of the Australian Department of Health.The department and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) New Zealand work in partnership to develop and regulate joint aircraft disinsection requirements.”
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/aircraft-vessels-military/aircraft/disinsection#:~:text=On%2Darrival%20%E2%80%93%20is %20an%20in,lasts%20for%20that%20one%20arrival.
Jan 4, 2024, 1:02 pm
#7
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The way I remember it being explained to me many years ago, was that either:
1) the aircraft is equipped with an onboard disinfectant system whereby the disinfectant/pesticide is dispersed directly into the cabin's air circulation system, or
2) if the aircraft is not equipped with such a dispersion ability, the pesticide is distributed manually by personnel spraying cans throughout the cabin with open overhead bins.
1) the aircraft is equipped with an onboard disinfectant system whereby the disinfectant/pesticide is dispersed directly into the cabin's air circulation system, or
2) if the aircraft is not equipped with such a dispersion ability, the pesticide is distributed manually by personnel spraying cans throughout the cabin with open overhead bins.
Jan 4, 2024, 2:29 pm
#8
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Most airlines have opted for residual disinfection. Per the Australia Department of Agriculture:
"Residual – is carried out while no passengers are onboard. The entire aircraft is sprayed with a residual insecticide and lasts eight weeks"
"Residual – is carried out while no passengers are onboard. The entire aircraft is sprayed with a residual insecticide and lasts eight weeks"
Jan 4, 2024, 3:27 pm
#9
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Yeah that's what happens. The aircraft is treated. Sometimes they still do the disinfectant with cabin crew walking down the aisles with spray if an aircraft was switched out and they are using one that has not had pre-treatment but it's very uncommon.
Jan 4, 2024, 6:06 pm
#10
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Yes, I had this on arrival, all passengers asked to remain seated. This was US SFO-SYD back in March '23.... Had 2 people from biosecurity walk down each aisle of the 787 spraying from cans.
Jan 4, 2024, 7:33 pm
#11
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Last month, I flew Garuda from DPS to SYD. On arrival at SYD, GA made a seemingly never ending "how pure Australia is and how filthy Indonesia is" announcement and notified us that we would have to walk on a disinfecting carpet just after the jet bridge. 
This from the country that Covid-locked down for years.
This from the country that Covid-locked down for years.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 4, 2024 at 8:26 pm
Jan 5, 2024, 4:38 pm
#13
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Last month, I flew Garuda from DPS to SYD. On arrival at SYD, GA made a seemingly never ending "how pure Australia is and how filthy Indonesia is" announcement and notified us that we would have to walk on a disinfecting carpet just after the jet bridge. This from the country that Covid-locked down for years.
This from the country that Covid-locked down for years.
Jan 6, 2024, 3:06 am
#14
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You'd have to injest several gallons of the stuff for it to have any effect on you.
They use a slightly different mix on the long term spray they do without pax onboard. That one has a silicone carrier particle for the spray to, well, carry on. Those break down in direct sunlight in ~48 hours and outside of sunlight in ~3 months. The silicone carrier particles are slightly more toxic to humans than the pyrethrum itself, so don't lick any part of the plane and especially don't lick any dark & recessed crevices where there may be build up. I think that's probably good advice for life in general too.
Other than that, you should be good.