Does Southwest actually sanitize their planes?
Mar 9, 2020, 2:00 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,706
Some scientific labs do this with UV lamps in the ceilings. They cause eye damage so nobody could be in the plane.
That might be much less time consuming that manual sanitizing.
Mar 9, 2020, 5:37 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,463
Southwest send an email this morning which partly talks about their cleaning procedures and how they are changing them:
Aircraft Cleaning: We spend between 6-7 hours cleaning each aircraft every night, and, as of March 4, 2020, we have enhanced our overnight cleaning procedures. Typically, we use an EPA approved, hospital-grade disinfectant in the lavatories and an interior cleaner in the cabin. Now, we are expanding the use of the hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the aircraft, and it will be used in the cabin, on elements in the flight deck, and in the lavatory. This goes beyond the standard CDC guidelines.
Also, we equip each of our aircraft with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which filters out recirculated air onboard each plane to remove airborne particles. HEPA filters are also used in hospitals to provide patients with clean air.
To learn more about our enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures, visit our blog for a detailed overview, along with a video and photos of the process.
Also, we equip each of our aircraft with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which filters out recirculated air onboard each plane to remove airborne particles. HEPA filters are also used in hospitals to provide patients with clean air.
To learn more about our enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures, visit our blog for a detailed overview, along with a video and photos of the process.
Mar 9, 2020, 7:53 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
I'm not sure what level of UV is required, or what level causes eye damage. There is some UV in normal daylight so people can tolerate some UV exposure. Perhaps they could simply replace the lamps in the cabin lighting with lamps that have a modest UV component and continually disinfect surfaces. Alternatively they could sweep the cabin interior with UV light wands between flights.
Mar 9, 2020, 11:47 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Earth
Programs: whatever it takes
Posts: 683
And that's the problem with Southwest's fast-turn strategy, it doesn't allow for when extra steps are needed between plane uses.
Are we going to hear in the news that Southwest is going to cut back N% of flights because they have to add 10 minutes extra between each flight for sanitizing?
Agreed. What was their strength, is now their weakness. Deceptive email from them. Overnight...
Mar 9, 2020, 11:56 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Earth
Programs: whatever it takes
Posts: 683
Who do you think you are fooling Southwest?
What has been your strength is now your weakness. Will you adapt? Lower your frequencies, more TLC in between...
If COVID19 patient coughs all over my seat and cabin from flight before...your cleaning procedure means almost ZERO to me.
Mar 9, 2020, 12:37 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold / Marriott Bonvoy(age) Titanium Elite, IHG Platinum, WN A+/CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 337
As someone that has brought my own wipes for years.....i am no longer stared at when cleaning a nasty tray table on the last flight of the day after an 8 segment day.
Mar 9, 2020, 12:46 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,872
Since you're claiming that they are trying to "fool" people, please cite specific evidence that contradicts the email. Not just your opinion. SMH.
Mar 10, 2020, 12:34 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West Coast
Programs: WN A+, AS MVP, UA 1P
Posts: 92
After watching (well, smelling, then turning around and seeing) someone change a diaper on a tray table, I wipe it down every time!
Mar 10, 2020, 2:59 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,706
I'm not sure what level of UV is required, or what level causes eye damage. There is some UV in normal daylight so people can tolerate some UV exposure. Perhaps they could simply replace the lamps in the cabin lighting with lamps that have a modest UV component and continually disinfect surfaces. Alternatively they could sweep the cabin interior with UV light wands between flights.
Mar 10, 2020, 5:42 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 129
They could clean the cabin between flights like most major airlines do. Although, I'm certainly not opposed to ALSO having disinfecting wipes handed out.
Mar 10, 2020, 10:27 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: STL
Programs: Southwest A+/CP, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 170
Most airlines do not fully clean and disinfect planes in between flights. If you think they do, I have a nice bridge to sell you.
Mar 10, 2020, 10:39 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 129
For example, this from United: "thorough wipe-down of all hard surfaces touched by customers and employees, including lavatories, galleys, tray tables, window shades and armrests."
And this from Delta: "Delta uses a high-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant on all flights, which is rated to combat many communicable diseases."
I can't fathom that a "nightly" cleaning which is what Southwest (and American) are doing is being defended by anyone as a good idea during this virus outbreak.