Boeing Study Reveals Effectiveness of Airline Cleaning Methods for COVID-19

As many people continue to avoid air travel, airlines and airports are testing new cleaning, disinfection, and infection control strategies to regain traveler confidence. A recent study from the Boeing Co. in partnership with the University of Arizona’s Department of Environmental Science revealed that airlines’ COVID-19 cleaning methods are effective, The Arizona Republic reports.

Airplane manufacturer Boeing conducted a test as part of its Confident Travel Initiative (CTI) which aims to support airlines in making air travel safe for staff and passengers. Researchers conducting the test, reported as the “first of its kind,” released a live virus, MS2, into a 737 aircraft at Boeing Field in Seattle. According to Simple Flying, the research was conducted on the ground and in flight to eliminate factors like altitude, humidity, or airflow changes.

Scientists released the MS2 virus, which is harmless to humans, onto high-touch surfaces including seat backs, tray tables, arm rests, windows, overhead stow bins, lavatory faucets, toilet lids, and seat decks. Then Boeing’s cleaning staff, who were unaware of the test, disinfected the airplane with chemical disinfectants, electrostatic sprayers, antimicrobial coating, and Boeing’s ultraviolet wand. When the staff had finished, the scientists swabbed 230 locations around the aircraft and put them in a cooler overnight at the University of Arizona laboratory for testing.

The results showed the staff’s cleaning methods were effective in eliminating 99.9% of the MS2 virus. Additionally, scientists brought parts of the aircraft into the lab and applied the SARS-CoV-2 virus to these surfaces for additional tests. Results confirmed that the cleaning methods also were effective against the coronavirus.

“While these cleaning solutions had been tested in other environments, an airplane behaves differently,” said Mike Delaney, who leads Boeing’s CTI efforts. “It was critical for us to evaluate and confirm the chemicals and techniques we recommend for our customers’ use are effective and battle-tested. By working with the University of Arizona, we were able to employ their world-renowned expertise in virology to do exactly that.”