Others still provide them on a limited basis, as upscale amenities for passengers in premium seats. And several airlines that do provide pillows and blankets also reuse them. But reps from those airlines told us that the items are laundered and repackaged between uses to eliminate any health concerns.
After use, airlines will most often send blankets off to be washed at an industrial facility (whether it's one they operate themselves or via a laundry service), but for some carriers this only happens at their home base airports, so used blankets are either stuffed in the overhead bins or folded back up.
While some airlines allow you to bring a pillow on the plane free of charge, others charge a fee for this additional luggage add-on.
12 Airplane Blankets Are Not Washed Or Just Reused
Airplane blankets might sound like a fantastic free amenity on long flights, but a 2007 investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed that airlines cleaned these blankets every five to 30 days. Passengers should bring their own blanket or bring warmer clothing.
Furthermore, since you can keep pajamas, they're a fun way to remember a great flight, and can also be enjoyed at home, especially if you're an avgeek. While most airlines offer pajamas in first class, it's pretty rare to get them in business class.
According to Lonely Planet, there are two options. They're either washed at an industrial facility via a laundry service that is contracted by the airline, or they are laundered at the airline's home-base airport. By the way, here's why you should never take off your shoes on an airplane.
Not yours to keep, not even in business class (unlike pyjamas, which are gifted). Airline blankets are gathered at the end of the flight, washed at industrial laundry centres and then redistributed. Some carriers, especially those based in the US, will let you buy blankets from the in-flight magazine should you desire.
In the year 2000, the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees accused some of its clients of repackaging their blankets without ever cleaning them, Bravo reported. A few years later, The Wall Street Journal released a report explaining that most airlines only clean their blankets every five to 30 days.
Many airlines provide blankets to passengers on international flights, particularly for long-haul flights where passengers may want to sleep or rest. However, some airlines may only provide blankets to passengers in certain cabin classes, such as business or first class.
Not surprisingly, therefore, cleaning is certainly not a daily task. Airlines report washing every two to six months - often in line with the A or B check maintenance schedule. AIrcraft can be washed with water and detergent, or dry washed.
In addition, a Trtl Travel Pillow will help keep your head stable, reducing the risk that your nap will be interrupted by uncomfortable neck bobbing. Even if you are not planning to sleep for the duration of your flight, simply putting on your travel pillow will make you more comfortable.
Pillows generally don't count toward your carry-on or personal item limit, so filling a pillow case with clothing or other items is a smart “hack” to beat extra baggage charges.
“We tried the airport pillow hack,” she said while walking through the airport terminal. “And we SUCCEEDED.” Larissa said she managed to save the equivalent of £67 in baggage fees with the hack after loading it up with 6kg worth of clothes.
Normally items like blankets, pillows and headphones are cleaned and re-used.
Travel Pillow - When in Doubt, Surface-Wash
Whenever you're unsure of how to wash the neck pillow, such as when the care label is too faded, it's best to go for a surface-wash. The process for surface-washing is similar to hand-washing, but it's more delicate to avoid getting water inside the pillow.
Pillows are permitted in both carry-on bags and checked bags, according to the TSA's website. But while you'll have no problem bringing a full-size pillow through security, it's up to the airline to decide if it counts as your personal item.
Blankets and Pillows
The cabin temperature on some planes can be notoriously cold, so you can always ask a flight attendant if blankets are available. And if you're on a red-eye flight, you should ask if pillows are available, too.
Blankets are considered a personal item by most airlines and will be treated much in the same way as a jacket would. It is best if your blanket is compact and can fit into your carry on bag for storage if not in use. Plus, if your blanket can fit in your carry on bag it will not count as a personal item.
They're an essential accessory that helps keep your legs and feet comfortable when traveling. They hug your legs tightly and are meant to increase circulation. Wearing flight socks, like those from Trtl, means you're far less likely to get off an airplane with swollen feet.
Handing out hot or cold towels gives passengers a chance to cleanse themselves during their flight, to wipe their eyes after a nap, refresh their face and neck and most importantly to clean their hands without leaving their seats before a meal is served.
Southwest Airlines, for example, stopped providing blankets and pillows back in 2009. "It was sanitation-related," Southwest spokesperson Dan Landson explains in an email.
Delta Airlines notes on their website that they offer free pillows and blankets to passengers, but only for long international flights. They emphasize that they have a cleaning policy for these items as well.
You are allowed to bring your own personal blanket onto any airplane. TSA regulations say that you are allowed to pack it in your checked bag, carry-on bag, or even just keep it in your lap.
Most long haul aircraft have bunk beds available for both the Pilots and Cabin Crew. These are generally hidden out of view from passengers. If no bunks are available, commercial passenger seats in business or first class are set aside for the pilots to ensure a good standard of rest can be achieved.
Airlines allow a person to usually carry on one personal item. A personal item is usually defined as a laptop, briefcase, purse. However, a blanket is not classified with these items. In addition to a personal item, the passenger is allowed to take a jacket, a newspaper, a hat, a book, a blanket - a blanket!