Something, um, special in the air: AA works to quash bathroom odors on 757s
By TREBOR [email protected]
It's bad enough to be crammed into a tiny seat in a packed aircraft cabin, subjected to noisy seatmates and crying babies. But what if the airplane, well, just stinks?
Some passengers have encountered that malodorous problem on recent American Airlines flights. The carrier said it is working to eliminate the in-flight stench that has occasionally arisen in some of its Boeing 757 jets.
American has received sporadic complaints about foul odors coming from the lavatories on the planes. While the problem isn't widespread, airline officials said, they are nonetheless switching to a stronger sanitizing fluid and redirecting air vents to reduce the unpleasant odors.
"We've been hearing input from our customers and our flight attendants about the issue and working to come up with a solution," spokesman Tim Smith said.
A more pleasing in-flight aroma comes at a cost to American, even as the Fort Worth-based carrier is working to slash expenses. The stronger sanitizer is more expensive, Smith said. And American will also absorb the maintenance costs of redirecting the lavatory vents to blow air outside the plane rather than into the cargo area in the aft of the aircraft.
The entire fleet is scheduled to have lavatories replaced as planes are refurbished beginning this year.
By TREBOR [email protected]
It's bad enough to be crammed into a tiny seat in a packed aircraft cabin, subjected to noisy seatmates and crying babies. But what if the airplane, well, just stinks?
Some passengers have encountered that malodorous problem on recent American Airlines flights. The carrier said it is working to eliminate the in-flight stench that has occasionally arisen in some of its Boeing 757 jets.
American has received sporadic complaints about foul odors coming from the lavatories on the planes. While the problem isn't widespread, airline officials said, they are nonetheless switching to a stronger sanitizing fluid and redirecting air vents to reduce the unpleasant odors.
"We've been hearing input from our customers and our flight attendants about the issue and working to come up with a solution," spokesman Tim Smith said.
A more pleasing in-flight aroma comes at a cost to American, even as the Fort Worth-based carrier is working to slash expenses. The stronger sanitizer is more expensive, Smith said. And American will also absorb the maintenance costs of redirecting the lavatory vents to blow air outside the plane rather than into the cargo area in the aft of the aircraft.
The entire fleet is scheduled to have lavatories replaced as planes are refurbished beginning this year.
