Delta doubles cabin cleaners in 'pit stop' revamp, buys
kits to test for germs
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[August 24, 2020] By
Tracy Rucinski
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines <DAL.N>
has doubled its staffing to handle revamped pre-flight "pit stops" for
deeper cleaning and wants to ensure that tray tables and restroom door
handles are germ-free with a new testing process, an executive told
Reuters.
Airlines' efforts to reassure travelers of their safety during the
pandemic have spurred a behind-the-scenes scramble to complete the
enhanced cleaning that they are promising without sacrificing turnaround
times, a cornerstone of profitability, once more passengers take to the
skies.
"We've done quite a lot of change to our turn process," the head of
Delta's new Global Cleanliness division Mike Medeiros said in an
interview detailing the airline's strategy for "turns" -- the time a
plane spends on the ground between flights.
Depending on the aircraft's size, Delta is deploying at least eight
pre-flight cabin cleaners, up from three to five previously, and has
adopted a new "pit stop mentality" based on industrial engineering
studies into the extra resources required for cleaning each plane type,
he said.
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After cleaners spray with disinfectant and wipe down high-touch
surfaces, a flight attendant and gate agent walk the cabin together to
inspect. If the cabin is not up to par, they call back the cleaners.
"Even if that means taking a delay to the flight," said Medeiros, who is
among managers who receive daily cleanliness reports in their inbox
based on customer surveys taken after every flight.
"As important as (being) on-time is to our company, we know that
cleanliness, particularly in this environment but also going forward,
will be just as important," he said.
Delta's average clean time for its domestic fleet is now 20 minutes, up
from 10 minutes to 15 minutes previously depending on the aircraft size,
but it aims to speed up the procedure to protect its turn times once
schedules are heavier by adding resources.
To verify levels of cleanliness, Delta is purchasing ATP test kits that
measure the amount of bacteria on airplane and airport surfaces. The
kits cannot test for COVID-19.
It has already purchased 30 of the hand-held units, which cost about
$1,000 each, to test the effectiveness of its cleaning program. The plan
is to buy the tests for all of its global airport bases, though details
are still being developed.
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![](../images/082420PIX/busine29.jpg)
Delta Airlines pre-flight cleaning crew members work on an aircraft
at JFK International Airport in New York, U.S., August 6, 2020.
Picture August 6, 2020. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Aug/24/images/ads/current/stclara_lda_SPONSOR_090519.png)
Among large U.S. rivals, American Airlines <AAL.O> said it has doubled the
strength of its cabin cleaning crews but has not had to add extra time to its
turns given lighter passenger loads and fewer scheduled flights.
United Airlines <UAL.O> said it has added some extra time to its cleaning
process but not workers given the lighter loads.
Southwest Airlines <LUV.N>, whose low-cost model depends on quick turns, has not
added staffing and said this month it was scaling back some pre-flight cleaning
with a view to preserving an average 45-minute turn once its schedule ramps up.
It is still using an electrostatic and an anti-microbial spray that kill viruses
and shield surfaces for 30 days, as well as a broad-spectrum disinfectant for
lavatories and tray tables before every flight, but is not wiping down seat
belts or arm rests.
All of the airlines are eyeing new cleaning technology. United, for example, is
testing ultraviolet sanitation deployed by drones and hand-held wands for
airport and aircraft surfaces. Delta is rolling out antimicrobial LED light
technology by Vital Vio in all its aircraft restrooms that will continuously
prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and yeast.
The airline is also in talks with Boeing Co <BA.N> and Airbus SE <AIR.PA> on
developing touchless restrooms and is studying a UV light that would sterilize
lavatories when they are not in use, Medeiros said.
Last week Delta said it would continue blocking middle seats through Jan. 6.
Southwest is limiting seating capacity through October, while American and
United are selling all seats. Beyond the jet, Delta is looking at bipolar
ionization to improve air filtration at its airport facilities, including
jetways. Airplanes already use hospital-grade HEPA that refresh air every two to
four minutes. "We're not afraid of adding costs to the business, but it has to
add value," said Medeiros. "If people are fearful or uncomfortable, travel won't
come back in the near term."
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(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
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