Every ANA flight undergoes a thorough cleansing process each night. A spokesperson stated that this isn’t a “quick tidy-up,” but instead a detailed cleaning. This includes the seats, tables, carpets and windows. The lavatories are also thoroughly disinfected. Flight attendants receive training on hygiene and are taught to use the slogan, “Let’s Quickly Wipe,” to encourage crew members to clean small areas during their free time.
In an industry where profits are the primary concern, a commitment to cleanliness may not be common. “At the moment, airlines are more focused on turning planes quickly,” says Gary LeffAuthor of Aviation Blog and air travel expert View From the Wing. “When [aircraft] They aren’t earning money if they aren’t flying. There’s often not enough time between flights to thoroughly pick up the trash. Airlines believe that they will make more money if they don’t clean as thoroughly.
In turn, passengers expect a certain level of cleanliness when they get on a plane. Leff says that cleanliness was an issue for many passengers during the Pandemic. Airlines marketed their cleaning methods and disinfection strategies. I’d hoped this would have stayed with us, but it hasn’t.
This shift in emphasis away from aircraft hygiene may have led some flyers to believe that today’s planes are dirtier, especially those in the US. This may be a false impression. Leff states that planes are cleaner now than 20 years ago.
Skytrax’s list of cleanest airlines around the world in 2025 is a great way to avoid dirty seats, sticky tray table, and unmentionable toilets on your next flight.
- EVA Air
- ANA All Nippon Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- STARLUX Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- China Southern Airlines
- China Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Finnair
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Austrian Airlines
- Qantas Airways
- Lufthansa
- Saudia
