Planes are not nearly as clean as they look, with tray tables found to be the dirtiest surface on the aircraft, in a recent study conducted by microbiologists. In that light, ever wonder how clean the airline seat you're sitting in is as you travel?
Cleanliness is a real concern for air travellers with airports and planes seen as potential breeding grounds for bacteria. When you board a flight, chances are your aeroplane has already completed three or four trips. In other words, three or four other people have sat in your seat, touched your screen, and rested their sweaty palms on the armrests.
A new survey conducted by UK-based aviation industry reviewer Skytrax has dished the dirt on which carriers offer the most pristine experiences for fliers. This study is based on passenger ratings for the standards and quality of cleanliness in the aircraft cabin for airlines. Cleanliness and presentation of seat areas, tables, carpets, cabin panels and washrooms all contribute towards the final results.
Based on the survey, Asian airlines clearly takes the cake on the 2018’s top 20 cleanest airlines in the world with Japan's ANA All Nippon Airways placed on the top spot. Following Japan's ANA All Nippon Airways, Taiwan's EVA Air and South Korea's Asiana Airlines also peaked the list.
The award for the cleanest airline is one of a number of gongs handed out by Skytrax each year. The World Airline Awards have been running since 2001 and are seen as the aviation industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
Here are the Top 20 cleanest airlines in the world for 2018:
- ANA All Nippon Airways (Japan)
- EVA Air (Taiwan)
- Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
- Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
- Japan Airlines (Japan)
- Cathay Pacific Airlines (Hong Kong)
- Qatar Airways (Qatar)
- Swiss International Air Lines (Switzerland)
- Hainan Airlines (China)
- Lufthansa (Germany)
- Korean Air (South Korea)
- Cathay Dragon (Hong Kong)
- Austrian Airlines (Austria)
- China Airlines (Taiwan)
- Thai Airways (Thailand)
- Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia)
- China Southern Airlines (China)
- Bangkok Airways (Thailand)
- Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
- Air New Zealand (New Zealand)
Source: Seasia, CNN, Evening Standard