How clean are the blankets and pillows provided by airlines?

If you’ve been browsing the web, you might have encountered some warnings about the potential health risks of using blankets and pillows provided by airlines during flights.

However, like many concerns found online, these warnings seem a bit exaggerated. With the ongoing pressure from intense price competition and cost-saving measures, numerous airlines no longer offer complimentary blankets and pillows to every passenger. A few airlines still provide them, but typically as an exclusive luxury for passengers flying in premium classes. Additionally, several airlines that continue to offer pillows and blankets also reuse them. Representatives from these airlines confirm that the items are washed and repackaged between uses to ensure they’re safe and sanitary.

As noted in a 2010 article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, many airlines began cutting back or discontinuing the provision of free bedding years ago. Southwest Airlines, for instance, stopped offering blankets and pillows in 2009. According to Southwest spokesperson Dan Landson, this change was due to sanitation concerns, as the airline aims to "prevent the spread of illnesses."

"As an Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC)," Frontier Airlines spokesperson Kelsy Hustead explains, "this is simply not a part of our business model." Consequently, the airline does not provide blankets or pillows to passengers.

Delta Airlines, on the other hand, is one major carrier that continues to offer complimentary blankets in all of its cabins, although pillows are not available to every passenger.

"We provide pillows in our Delta One, Delta Premium Select, and First Class cabins for all flights, as well as in Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin on international routes," states spokesperson Savannah Huddleston. "The offerings differ based on cabin type and flight duration. For instance, Delta One—our business class cabin available on international flights and select long-haul domestic flights—includes Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, which consists of a large duvet and a down-alternative pillow. Other cabins receive our premium pillows and blue blankets, made from durable, long-lasting materials." All pillowcases and blankets are washed after each use.

Other airlines are offering blankets and pillows as premium perks as well. For instance, American Airlines provides high-end Casper brand blankets and pillows, alongside a range of sleep accessories such as quilted duvets, pajamas, and slippers, for first and business class passengers on long-haul international flights.

"We collaborated with Casper's sleep engineers to create our bedding," says Sunny Rodriguez, a spokesperson for American Airlines.

Economy-class passengers also receive standard blankets and pillows on these flights. For domestic flights, first class passengers are provided with a lighter, non-designer blanket, according to Rodriguez.

"We base our decisions on customer needs, which are often linked to the length of the trip," Rodriguez explains. "Providing these products to every passenger on every flight isn’t something we would consider—not because of the cost, but because of the potential waste. Our goal is to offer a meaningful customer experience that aligns with each passenger's needs."

Both American's premium designer products and the standard blankets and pillows are reused, but only after they are sent out for laundering by an external company, which repackages them before they are redistributed to other passengers, according to Rodriguez.

"When these products are brought onboard, they are wrapped in plastic," Rodriguez notes. "This indicates they have been cleaned and are fresh. If the packaging is opened, the products have been laundered, even if they were not used."

In the previous year, travel sources like Skift and Fox News highlighted a curious issue: airline passengers were walking away with premium pillows and blankets. Rodriguez mentions, "This isn't a problem anymore," suggesting that the novelty of these items has probably faded.

JetBlue, another airline, offers passengers in its Core seats — equivalent to economy class — the option to purchase new neck pillows for $6 and blankets for $5. In an email, spokesperson Julianna Bryan explains, "This strategy allows us to offer a high-quality, reusable product." She adds, "As an airline committed to sustainability, we strongly encourage customers to keep their neck pillows and blankets for future trips."

For travelers in the airline’s premium Mint class, however, they enjoy custom-made pillows and blankets that are professionally laundered and refreshed after every use, according to Bryan.