How To Tell if Your Airplane Seat Really Is Clean

Though they may look perfectly clean to the naked eye, airplane seats can be a lot dirtier than you think. In rare cases, some passengers have reported horror stories such as dirty seats that produce thick clouds of dust and others that are covered in bodily fluids — but a dirty airplane seat isn’t always so easy to identify. Here’s how you can spot a dirty airplane seat, and what to do about it if the situation arises.

How Often Are Airplane Seats Cleaned?

Most cabin cleaning crews have an average of just 30 to 40 minutes between flights to clean an aircraft, which results in a largely superficial clean of the cabin. While they may be able to pick up trash and vacuum up crumbs, they rarely have enough time to clean out seat-back pockets, wipe down tray tables, or perform a deep clean of the actual seats, according to the Wall Street Journal. Generally, seats receive a thorough deep clean only when it’s time to clean the entire cabin. This usually happens anywhere from once a month to once every three-plus months, depending on the airline.

How To Spot a Dirty Seat

Obvious discoloration and staining is easier to notice on seats made of leather, but when it comes to cloth seating, it may be difficult to spot all of the dirt and grime tucked deep inside the fabric. Keep your eyes open for any food scraps or trash tucked away in the crevices — the more garbage you notice around the edge of the seat, the less likely it is that someone took the time to clean things thoroughly.

For cloth seats in particular, there’s one helpful trick you can use to determine just how dirty they truly are. Take the palm of your hand and firmly slap it against the fabric. If the seat is dirty, you’ll likely see a cloud of dust rise from the seat. (Be sure to follow proper airplane etiquette and ask permission from your neighbors first, or try to board the plane early and try this trick before anyone else arrives.) The more dust you see, the longer it’s likely been since the seat last underwent a thorough cleaning.

Also trust your nose: If something smells off, it might be indicative of a problem from a previous flight. Earlier passengers may have spilled food all over the seat, or worse, gotten sick during a particularly turbulent journey. While cleaning crews may wipe away the obvious evidence between flights, the smell can still linger for hours.

What To Do About a Dirty Airplane Seat

If you’re worried about encountering a dirty seat, you can plan ahead by packing a few helpful items in your carry-on. First, always travel with sanitary wipes, which you can use to wipe down common touchpoints such as the armrests or tray table. If the seat is made of leather, you can use the wipes to give the seat itself a quick once-over as well. You might even consider bringing a disposable airplane seat cover on board. While your fellow passengers may shoot you a funny look or two, this thin protective layer ensures you won’t be sitting on anyone else’s mess or germs.

In the event your seat is so dirty that you feel uncomfortable, politely ask a flight attendant if you can switch to another open seat. If there are empty seats, they should be able to accommodate your request. If you’re not able to move but still end up taking the flight, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation after you land or contact the airline directly to express your concerns. You may receive a credit or miles for the inconvenience, but either way, it’s worth filing a complaint, if only to encourage the airline to do a better job cleaning the seats going forward.