"While nearly all mainline jets in the United States have HEPA filters, according to a recent American Airlines press release there is no federally-approved HEPA filter available for. It's that time of year again, when travelor any indoor activity, reallycomes with concerns of catching the flu. Sounds good to me. Each HEPA manufacturer recommends the maintenance schedule for their products, and most airlines change them more frequently. ICAO stated: There are various types of fumes, smoke, haze, and mist that may contaminate the cabin and flight deck air supply system. Calls grow for HEPA air filters in Canadian classrooms. [Links for the original VFTW reader reply posts & selected others referenced above will be posted separately later today as available & pending approval by the moderator(s)]. The airlines are trying to do everything they can to mitigate the spread of these viruses. A quick & dirty check of the filters that are standard for the pre-conditioned HVAC units used by aircraft when parked at the gate indicates that the filter grade is G4. This may be an inconvenient truth to some but its the truth nevertheless. Although my home has a good filtration system along with UV light to protect from mold, it would be nice to have something I can place in our offices. This level of air filtration was developed in the 1940s. G3 250 80% Am < 90% Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. It is expensive and if the best solution, I would get one for the office, I have no way of knowing. U.S. airports and airlines are implementing new screening measures to help keep potentially infectious passengers from making it onto passenger planes. Passenger temperature screenings make us feel like we are doing something tangible to prevent the spread, however, based on the scientific data to date, it is neither efficient nor effective at identifying COVID-19 patients or reducing the spread, says Dr. Daniel Fagbuyi, an Obama-Administration appointee to the National Biodefense Science Board with experience handling pandemics. During a flight, fresh air from outside the plane is being continuously circulated into the cabin through complex vents in the engines.. Gary, in your TB example, proclaiming that its not worse than sitting anywhere else isnt the same thing as saying it cannot spread on planes. You can find her byline on pieces about grammar, fun facts, the meanings of various head-scratching words and phrases, and more. Bissell features two vacuums that feature the HEPA Sealed Allergen System. That means that, on HEPA-equipped planes, the airflow mirrors the laminar airflow of an operating room with no or minimal crossover of air streams, says Dr. Bjoern Becker of the Lufthansa Group of airlines. E 10 85% 15% The SARS-CoV-2 science is evolving, but theres now some evidence suggesting that the virus inside those tiny droplets is infectious. The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that having access to clean air is a global health priority. The PCUs on their own do NOT currently allow for HEPA grade air quality being touted by airlines; b.) Regarding specific airlines (in addition to Americans upgrade to HEPA rated filtration for its Embraer 140/145 fleet discussed in Garys post above): On July 21st United announced it was upgrading onboard air quality for all mainline aircraft at the gate during boarding & disembarkation to match the exceptional ventilation featuring HEPA-rated filters beginning July 27th, thereby eliminating a disparity between inflight & when aircraft are at the gate; On September 10th, Delta announced it was upgrading the filters used by the PCA units to MERV-14 rated, which it says are 40% more effective than filters previously used, for more than 600 gates at its largest 31 airports, with unspecified other airports/gates to follow in the coming months; To date, while larger regional jets such as Mitsubishi (ne Bombardier) CRJ 700/900 models (including the 550 dual class 50 seater at United) as well as Embraer 170/175 (& mainline 190/195) also use HEPA-rated filters inflight only, the quick & dirty research done for this reader comment post does NOT indicate if any upgrades for ventilation of aircraft at the gate during boarding & deplaning is included with the above referenced efforts by United & Delta; other airlines (US domestic or foreign based) may have similarly acted to remedy/mitigate the disparity between onboard air quality available inflight & that during boarding & deplaning/disembarkation while aircraft are at the gate, as this reader comment is NOT intended to offer, nor should it be construed as providing a detailed, worldwide industry review. Envoy Air, also fully owned by American Airlines Group and which used to be called American Eagle, has 80 ERJ-140 and -145 aircraft. This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (m). I hate sounding like the Trumpers that occasionally occupy your comment section, but this isnt your domain, and presenting misinformation or unproven assumptions is not going to help us curb the infection. This story was originally published in July 2017. In such cases, its important to avoid skin contact with surfaces still wet with pesticide. There are lots of factors to consider and questions to ask if youre planning on getting on a plane during the COVID-19 pandemic. All rights reserved. American Airlines Is Adding HEPA Filters To Small Regional Jets Just as there's been a huge move towards frequent cleaning of aircraft, there's also been a push to improve air filtration, too. Required fields are marked *. First, there are one or more outer filters that work like sieves to stop the larger particles of dirt, dust, and hair. Your email address will not be published. HEPA filters arent really a kind of filter, though, the name speaks more to their standard of effectiveness capturing at least 99.97% of airborne particles that are larger than 0.3 micrometers (or 0.00001 of an inch). Wipe down your airline seat and surrounding area with a sanitizing wipe to kill any lingering flu virus; pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wash your hands often. @howard miller You posted a lot of material here. The Manhattan Project used HEPA air filtration to limit the spread of radioactive material. [], [] Thats different from the extent to which the virus spreads from person to person while on the aircraft. Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected individual coughing or sneezing or by touch, WHO warns. LinkedIn page. And if your itinerary allows it, consider nonstops rather than connecting flights, to limit your exposure to multiple dirty cabins. Thats both because of masks proven protective qualities and the fact that HEPA filters and rapid-air circulation dont work at max effectiveness until the plane is airborne. HEPA filters arent on older planes or tiny aircraft, which have less effective filtration systems. block and capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles over 0.3 micron in size, dirty filters can operate more effectively than clean ones, some evidence suggesting that the virus inside those tiny droplets is infectious, 40 percent of COVID patients are asymptomatic, Related: views from the airplane window seat, leaving the middle seat empty on flights decreased a given passengers risk, spread the disease via surfaces in the toilet, disinfecting planes with electrostatic sprayers, SurfaceWise2, a coating said to kill coronavirus for up to seven days. Obviously, other airlines with regional affiliates that still operate RJs that lack HEPA rated filtration capabilities would be wise to similarly upgrade their fleets. Domestically, regulations require fume events be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, but only in the case of a mechanical discrepancy in-flightand the data is spotty. United Airlines - Airline Tickets, Travel Deals and Flights If you're seeing this message, that means JavaScript has been disabled on your browser, please enable JS . Your email address will not be published. You can learn more about the benefits of HEPA filters on Embraer aircraft by visiting embraercommercialaviation.com. The ethnographic museum of the past is making its way to the exit.. Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Viruses are smaller than a HEPA filters pores, but they often travel in clusters, on mucus, or respiratory droplets. Most masks dont do squat to catch airborne pathogens unless you double or even triple them. Anyhow, I know this is a bit longer than Cliff Notes, @cr, but its a complicated subject that does not exactly lend itself to a few short paragraphs! They have not reviewed, approved or endorsed what I have to say. A fan pushes air through the filter, and particles get trappd inside. Today HEPA filters are used in a number of devices, including air . If a plane is circulating outside air, I have to imagine a HEPA filter makes little difference in the grand scheme. While industrial pollution has dominated headlines for decades, COVID-19 brings the conversation indoors. To be clear, while inflight there is NO REASON to doubt the claims being made airlines (and others) about the rapid rates of refreshing; the top-down circulation provided by diffusers above and exhaust vents below; or the use of HEPA grade filters when the aircraft is taxiing and airborne, when the plane is at the gate, the ventilation system is more like a commercial grade HVAC than the hospital surgical suite caliber thats being aggressively promoted by airlines, IATA and others. Officially, certified HEPA filters block and capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles over 0.3 micron in size, says Tony Julian, an air-purifying expert with RGF Environmental Group. That assertion is backed up by an October 2020 study from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, which found that HEPA filters and mask wearing reduced the risk of catching the virus on board planes compared to mask wearing during activities like grocery shopping or eating out. Comments made in response to posts are not provided or commissioned nor have they been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any bank. Designed for short to mid-range flights, the Embraer 175 features 76 comfortable, wide seats; with no middle seats, every passenger has either a window or aisle seat. Bankrupt Star Alliance member Avianca seemed [], [] HEPA air filtration seems to be one of the reasons that Covid-19 doesnt appear to spread very much on planes. That would help reduce infection by contact. The Spruce / Sarah Lee. The product looks impressive but looks like there are few models to choose from. Aircraft in Delta Air Lines' fleet are equipped with "either a. Just as theres been a huge move towards frequent cleaning of aircraft, theres also been a push to improve air filtration, too. Luckily, though, you can pretty easily find out if the plane youre on has these filters, he says. Again, I know this sucks but, unless and until our society universally embraces proven scientific knowledge such that wearing a proper mask is understood as being for EVERYONEs (including ones own and ones own family) best interest instead of being dragged into a culture war and instead becomes comparable to actions (and results) seen in countries and regions where infection and mortality rates are substantially lower than whats seen taking place in the USA, Brazil and Russia or of course a proven vaccine becomes available and it pains me to say this, but ALL of the factors involved with travel, and NOT just the time inflight under the optimal scenarios presented by airlines when HEPA filters and high/rapid rates of air refreshing/recirculation are taking place, must be included in ones evaluation of their own, and their loved ones who theyll come into contact with after flying (with presenting symptoms evident or worse, asymptomatic) risk tolerance and decision-making. That's important not just now but in the future too because HEPA filters can help reduce the spread of most airborne illnesses. This mixing process also helps the environment, as mixing fresh air with recirculated air results in a lower overall fuel burn. But apprehensions about aircraft cabin air long predate COVID or active flu seasons. @Tony Im not going to speak to the air filtration on JetSuiteX I do not know about their situation specifically. Many HEPA vacuum bags are made of cloth, although some are made of paper. Instead, I write primarily about cards which earn airline miles, hotel points, and some cash back (or have points that can be converted into the same). Planes, like most places, will never be 100 percent safe, Keyes warns. Cant say I fault them. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. And if the same air is floating around you and your fellow passengers for hours on end, it must be loaded with germs, right? HEPAs 99.97 percent filtration effectiveness sounds reassuring, and airline execs count on that. Aircraft while at the gate during boarding & deplaning typically rely on PCUs for HVAC (using their own APUs while at the gate means the air is coming thru the engines, which means fuel is also required for power. Exact matches only . I agree with the general sentiment that while you are in close proximity to other passengers it is among the safer crowded places to be due to the nature of the air circulation and the fact that masks have been mandated. Yes, not all airplanes have them. In flight, Fagbuyi recommends keeping your mask on as much as possible. They should put them in any method of mass transit. Bacteria are easily trapped by HEPA filters. Theres no doubt the systems today are far superior than in the past. The first step to cabin safety, of course, is for a sick person to choose not to board. But there are also stories of people flying without masks (or masks worn incorrectly), and of flight crews not making people follow the rules. Combined with greater distance and passengers lower to the cabin floor while sleeping, Cathay [], [] HEPA air filtration and downward air flow reduce the risk of transmission on a plane, making it one of the safer indoor [], [] vaccination to fly but not to go to the gym or go to bars is a rather odd flex, considering the relatively safe cabin environment that helps reduce spread (which isnt equally true of airports, of [], [] know that aircraft cabins are relatively protective environments, thanks to downward air flow, HEPA air filtration and rapid refresh of cabin air. While theyre still in contract negotiations with local machine shops and welding facilities, most of the work to retrofit the planes with HEPA filters will be done in-house. Generic filters. Comments made in response to posts are not provided or commissioned nor have they been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any bank. 2.) For example, some older. Efficiency Penetration Efficiency Penetration On the 200, a hepa filter is not used because there is no recirc fans on the aircraft. 1.) As the filters purify the air on the inside of the aircraft, fresh air enters the engine compressor on the outside. If planes get more crowded you increase the number of vectors, the number of touch points and other ways you may be potentially exposed even if the air is blowing in a favorable direction. Otherwise, its more like garden variety central air conditioning than the state of the air filtration thats featured prominently in promotional campaigns. This Delta video shows a HEPA filter being replaced. Even if an airline changed filters less often than recommended, the International Air Transport Association says air flow through the filters might be reduced but their particle-trapping capacity would not. Yeah, I know, I hate being such a Debbie Downer on that, but that super clean as an hospital room air doesnt kick in until the overhead nozzles start blasting away (think: when the mist clouds appear). Robert Isom (American Airlines President) reported theirs do not have HEPA filters, and the airline subsequently reported to me that the planes can not be retrofit to offer it. HEPA or high efficiency particulate air filters have similar performance to those used to keep the air clean in hospital operating rooms and industrial clean rooms. Please be respectful of copyright. I have 3 of these in my house. View from the Wing is a project of Miles and Points Consulting, LLC. They can capture viruses, bacteria, pollen, PM2.5, allergens, and more. Masked passengers sit on one of the first flights between Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Burgas, Bulgaria since COVID-19 shutdowns earlier in 2020. Thats good newsespecially now. This mixture results in a higher level of humidity in the cabin, providing a more comfortable experience for customers. About American Airlines GroupAmericans purpose is to care for people on lifes journey. Should Bidens Pick To Head The FAA Be Confirmed? Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, The new year once started in Marchhere's why, Jimmy Carter on the greatest challenges of the 21st century, This ancient Greek warship ruled the Mediterranean, 3 ways Jimmy Carter changed the world for the better, The meaning of the cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. It is therefore very difficult to trace where individuals picked up the virus from even with decent tracing methods in place. More About Gary , [] important than ventilation and filtration. Holes in the filters or problems with seals, for example, will compromise their effectiveness. Airplanes are pressurized, completely enclosed vessels flying through the sky, often for many hours. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Getting to/from the airport. Here's a breakdown of how cabin air may affect airline passengers, this flu season and beyond. Bear in mind that a single human hair has a diameter of. On our largest aircraft, the Boeing 777 family, there are eight HEPA filters four near the forward cargo compartment and two over each aisle near the middle of the aircraft cabin. Anyone have info on this? A worker in protective gear disinfects an Israir Airlines plane at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on August 17, 2020. HEPA technology is also used in hospitals and medical facilities around the world, helping keep medical . This model pulls from the top, I have it in a large part of my basement, no way to really tell how effective vs the IQ. As noted in my comments above, the PCUs used while the plane is at the gate is NOT the same as whats used after the cutover you the aircrafts internal HVAC, which most flyers will be able to detect when that cutover occurs since thats when the overhead nozzles begin blasting air or of course, sometimes expel mist briefly. But at least you wouldnt leave that plane with any new germs , just respitory distress !!! They also have HEPA filters on all mainline aircraft and most regional jets that refresh the cabin air every two to four minutes. [], [] the safest indoor environments, as a result of downward air flow, regular outside air exchange, and HEPA air filtration. For the non-hard core avgeeks (or those less familiar with Ground Support Equipment, or GSE) among us, Pre-Conditioned Air Units, or PCA for short, resemble, but are NOT quite identical (to allow for different environments deployed) to, conventional commercial grade HVAC units commonly used at office/commercial buildings whose refresh rates & filtration, typically G4-rated, are *NOT* nearly as robust & precise as the onboard ventilation equipment & HEPA-rated filters touted by the International Air Transport (IATA), industry leaders & widely cited/quoted in media reports that are powered up shortly before doors are closed & aircraft push back from the gate for taxiing out to takeoff. simple applications (e.g. To see what the randomly aligned mat of fibers look like, here's a closeup of the HEPA filter Smart Air makes for The Sqair air purifier, and then alongside it a view at the nano-level with the help of . Hertzberg's study was funded through a partnership with aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which she said has HEPA filters installed in ventilation systems that mix 50% fresh air with plane recycled air. They spread into commercial use in the 1950s to catch viruses, pollen, bacteria, and other particles in the air. Apprehension about aircraft cabin air is common during flu season. Piedmont has given them the design and details on the project. [PCA units are typically mounted below jetbridges/jetways & can be spotted wherever a pair of large/wide, school bus yellow colored hoses are seen]. It involves the air inside the planes. But that doesnt mean that travel is safe. Thanks I don't include all US credit card offers available on this site. (Thats why your farts disappear quickly!) American Airlines too, said that the filters have been used on their entire mainline fleet,. Next, it makes its way into the air conditioning system and is mixed with the recirculated, filtered air. A . Tobacco smoke is made up of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. It works by forcing air through fine mesh that traps harmful particles that people do not want to breathe. Theres no need to fly in a HAZMAT suit, however, says Dr. Ken Perry, an emergency physician in Charleston, South Carolina. Find out how many planes are in the sky right now. Agree good news Thanks Gary for this important update and all you do on this blog !