Many people know that airplanes are cleaned, but in reality they are far from spotless. What many don’t realize is that planes may actually be much dirtier than expected.

#01: Australian Woman Has Asthma Attack on Plane, Shocking Discovery on Seat

Recently, Australian woman Lalo Hadley suffered a severe asthma attack on a Qantas flight from Jakarta to Sydney. While trying to figure out the cause of her sudden asthma attack, she stumbled upon a shocking discovery. After checking around her seat, Hadley lifted her headrest and found a thick layer of dust clearly built up over a long time. In a video she posted, Hadley explained, “This is not new dust—it has been here for a very long time. I can see dust everywhere.” She then inspected nearby seats and found the same condition in every one. After raising the issue with cabin crew, the flight attendant brushed her off, unable to provide help and casually suggesting she “just cover it up.”

Hadley said such conditions were unacceptable for any passenger, especially those with allergies or health conditions, and it was deeply disappointing to see Australia’s national airline subjecting customers to such poor standards. “This is Australia’s flagship airline… so many people fly with them and they make so much money. What are they doing?” she asked. She pointed out that such a level of dust could not have accumulated overnight, nor could cleaners simply overlook it. While she wanted to continue supporting Australian businesses, she feared flying again in case she got sick.

#02: Qantas Responds, Promises Thorough Cleaning – Another Dirty Spot Revealed

Qantas later issued a response after the video spread, apologizing and admitting that the experience fell below their standards. A spokesperson explained that all international flights undergo cleaning between trips, including vacuuming seats and disinfecting surfaces, and are regularly deep cleaned. “This clearly did not meet our standards, and we will be reviewing cleaning procedures with our suppliers. The aircraft will undergo a full clean before its next flight. We apologize to the customer,” the spokesperson said.

In fact, industry insiders have long revealed shocking truths about airplane hygiene. One of the dirtiest places on board is the seat-back pocket, something most passengers wouldn’t suspect. Passengers often put their personal items inside or flip through magazines and safety cards, but according to flight attendants, these pockets are rarely if ever properly cleaned. One attendant shared, “I always tell people never, ever use or put anything in the seat-back pocket. They clear out the trash, but they don’t actually clean it.” Cleaning staff have found dirty tissues, used vomit bags, underwear, socks, gum, half-sucked candies, and even apple cores inside.

Cabin crew suggest bringing antibacterial wipes or sanitizers, avoiding seat pockets altogether, and wiping down tray tables, window shades, seatbelts, and TV screens. Some travelers recommend placing personal belongings inside a plastic bag before storing them in the pocket. Others even suggest disposable gloves. In short—either disinfect thoroughly or minimize contact with high-risk areas.

Conclusion

Although planes may appear clean, they can actually harbor hidden health hazards. The fact that dust could accumulate to a visibly thick layer capable of triggering asthma highlights a serious shortfall in Qantas’ cleaning practices. Whether the airline will truly follow through on its promises of improvement after this exposure remains to be seen.