Poof! Thanks to swine flu, pillows are disappearing from U.S. airlines

by Janice Hough on June 16, 2009

No one ever took an airline flight for the comfortable pillows. But the economy and the H1N1 swine flu are combining to make even the lousy pillows that have been offered onboard a vanishing species.

JetBlue has charged for a pillow and blanket combination for a while now. American got rid of pillows on some of their planes a few back. United Airlines has not officially removed them, but clients report, and I have noticed personally, that they are harder to find. Alaska Airlines removed their pillows and blankets about a month ago because of the flu scare, along with Southwest Airlines.

Alaska has not said if they plan to return the bedding. Southwest has announced that they will be pillow and blanket free for 2009.

One of the reasons given was that passengers liked the extra space in the overhead bin, although I have yet to hear anyone complain that pillows and blankets kept them from stowing their bags.

Another, more plausible reason: cabins  can be cleaned faster, and that it’s (a little) less weight. You know the airlines are examining every potential onboard cost when the weight of pillows and blankets are a factor.

As to 2010, Southwest has said they may bring the pillows and blankets back, or they may follow JetBlue’s lead in charging for them.

The logical solution, for health and comfort reasons, it’s probably safest to bring your own. Although that potentially can put you over the carryon limit, which could mean paying for checked luggage.

Hmm, now maybe we are getting to another of the “real” reasons.

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Tagged as: airline blankets, airline pillows, JetBlue Airlines, Southwest Airlines

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  • Jeff W

    On a recent United trip, my wife asked for a blanket on a recent trip to LA and the flight attendants confirmed that they had all been removed because of the H1N1 swine flu epidemic. But there were a few available in first class, but he could not get those for us.

    Sure enough, when we landed, there was a pile of blankets and pillows on the jet bridge. Not in any condition to use.

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  • Frank

    One of the reasons given was that passengers liked the extra space in the overhead bin, although I have yet to hear anyone complain that pillows and blankets kept them from stowing their bags.

    Another, more plausible reason: cabins can be cleaned faster, and that it’s (a little) less weight. You know the airlines are examining every potential onboard cost when the weight of pillows and blankets are a factor.
    ==========================================================

    Seriously, why the cynicism? The industry is cutting COSTS during this recession, arent you? I’m thrilled those nasty things are gone. How anyone would use those things is beyond me. Airlines cleaned them, on average, every TWO WEEKS. Ask someone who actually works on the plane, and they would say a resounding, YES, they’ve allowed for more carry-ons in the bins. On average, each flight carries 40/50 pillows and blankets. They do take up room and do take TIME to pick up off the floor and re-fold and return them to the overheads. I tell you, I wish I could tell passengers, the more you “trash” the plane, the longer it’s going to take to clean it up. In most cases, there’s not a sea of cleaners that come onboard, there’s a few cleaners. These cleaners may be outsourced and they dont care about your connection. I’ve yelled at some, “we’re late, get off your cellphone!”
    I get asked for pillows and blankets everyday. My response: Would you like Swine Flu with that? And, add, we dont supply them anymore. But, they do get the response, they’re USED by other passengers, when we had them.
    Finally, how about personal responsibility? I see flip flops in the dead of winter or daisy dukes and tank tops. WEAR A COAT and inside one of those pockets, carry an inflatable pillow (with your germs on it.)

  • Kweed

    I’ve got to agree with Frank, here… Why would anyone ever want to use one of those nasty things? I have never seen one without a little curly hair on it.

    Your seat only goes back an eighth of an inch, is a pillow going to make that much of a difference? Bring an inflatable if you must, but you can leave your teeny hairy pillows on the runway.

  • http://www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com Janice Hough

    Note to Frank and Kweed, I agree that the pillows and blankets aren’t great – if I use a pillow I often wrap it in a clean scarf and wash the scarf later- but it would be simpler if the airlines just either flat out eliminated them or went to the Jetblue model. (And I haven’t been on a plane in a LONG time where if they had the pillows and blankets, they didn’t run out, so the bins haven’t been an issue). I also just would prefer a straightforward, we don’t have time or money to clean them instead of excuses, and a little consistency -the same policy across and airline’s fleet – would be nice. Also while we are dreaming, let’s exempt a smallish pillow and blanket from the carryon allowance. (Yes, I too have seen people trying to bring half their bed aboard..)

  • Samuel

    I have been flying for over 35 years and for the life of me could never understand why anyone would want to use a small filthy bunch of polyester to lay their heads on. Even with a ” pillow case ” on it , it is just a germ transportation media. I am by no means a germaphobe, but, ever wonder why so many people get sick from flying? between the poor air and close quarters you might as well fly in a petrie dish. For a long time now I have flown with 3 important products and my incidence of sickness has been greatly reduced. an allersac travel sheet, saline solution for nasal passages and hand sanitizer alcohol based, these plus lots of bottled water keep me healthy while flying.

  • Carrie Charney

    In the end, what’s the difference in cleanliness between an airline pillow and a pillow that you bring and put on the airline seat that has had someone’s oily head on it?

  • Samuel

    Carrie, the difference is, I don’t have contact with the oily headrest or the seat, that’s what the allersac is for. I see no reason to spend craploads of money for a plane ticket to sit in squalor.

  • Frank

    On June 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm Janice Hough said
    And I haven’t been on a plane in a LONG time where if they had the pillows and blankets, they didn’t run out, so the bins haven’t been an issue). I also just would prefer a straightforward, we don’t have time or money to clean them instead of excuses, and a little consistency -the same policy across and airline’s fleet – would be nice. Also while we are dreaming, let’s exempt a smallish pillow and blanket from the carryon allowance. (Yes, I too have seen people trying to bring half their bed aboard..)
    ============================================================

    Ok, I dont understand your first remark. And, as far as straightforward answers, seriously, should an airline let YOU know everytime it makes a corporate decision? The MEDIA is on it in a nanosecond anyway. And, exempt carry on items?……you already get to travel with a SUITCASE ON WHEELS, a PERSONAL ITEM and the exempt items include FOOD, READING MATERIAL AND A COAT.
    What? that isnt enough?
    Want MY opinion on pillows and blankets? I’ve seen people drool on them. Sick passengers cough into them. Small children wipe their boogers on them. And, I wouldnt doubt it, if semen or blood could be found on a blanket or two. Kweed, is so right, I would almost gag everything I saw a long hair matted on a pillow case. Imagine staying in a hotel that didnt change it’s blankets and pillows for two weeks? Care to get inside that bed? Why would a plane be any different? IT’S NOT.

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