COVID-19 changed the way we all live, work and travel. The airline industry was severely affected by the pandemic and has had to work hard to regain passenger confidence and safety in air travel, including for those requiring extra assistance like an onboard wheelchair. Some of the ways it did this were by introducing rigorous hygiene and cleaning routines, more frequent disinfection, products designed to kill pathogens like the coronavirus, and ways to limit the touchpoints within the aircraft.
The enhanced regimens not only addressed immediate concerns about the spread of COVID-19 but have also led to a long-term transformation of the aviation industry’s approach to health and safety. The visible commitment to cleanliness has become a critical factor in restoring passenger confidence in air travel. Passengers now expect a higher standard of hygiene, and airlines have recognised that maintaining these standards is crucial for business sustainability.
This standard applies to all airline equipment, including the onboard wheelchair that airlines provide to safely move passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) around the aircraft. Many parts of an onboard wheelchair are high-touch areas, which can increase the risk of contamination, so proper hygiene can help protect vulnerable populations. Airline wheelchairs must be cleaned and sanitised quickly and thoroughly after every use. The design and materials used in a good onboard wheelchair should enhance the airline crew’s ability to provide the highest hygiene standard for PRMs.
Enhancing the Onboard Wheelchair Cleaning Process
The Airchair is designed with hygiene in mind, making the cleaning process simple and efficient for onboard staff. The frame is coated in Sterilcoat-AM®, an anti-microbial powder coating that prevents the spread of dangerous micro-organisms by significantly reducing microbial activity and suppressing the growth of mould and bacteria. The powder is formulated using silver ions, which have natural antimicrobial properties, and the coating provides protection for a long time, even with repeated cleaning. Additionally, Sterilcoat-AM® is very durable, making the Airchair frame more stain and scratch-resistant.
The seat and backrest of the Airchair are made of leather, which is a naturally durable and hygienic material. The tanning process makes leather naturally antimicrobial. It is also non-porous and repels water, which makes cleaning easier while discouraging bacteria and microbe growth. Airchair recently upgraded its seats and backrests to be made from GenPhoenix’s recyclable leather products, adding another level of environmental integrity to the chair.
How to Clean the Airchair
The Airchair can be cleaned using standard airline cleaning products and disinfectants that are already used in other areas of the aircraft, so airlines don’t need to invest in special cleaning equipment. The frame and seats should be wiped clean with disinfectant after each use, and the leather seats should be washed periodically with warm, soapy water and dried with a soft cloth. The intrinsic disinfectant properties of the Airchair’s components mean the wheelchair can be cleaned quickly and effectively, saving cabin crew time and effort.
Onboard wheelchairs are essential to airline equipment, so cleaning and maintenance shouldn’t be complicated or time-consuming. Building intrinsic cleaning properties into the design of the Airchair makes it easy to maintain the highest hygiene standards for all users.
If you’d like to learn more about the Airchair and how it can support your airline, contact our team today.
Download the Airchair User Manual.