Delta Passenger Uses Feet to Swipe Seatback Screen—And No, Those Screens Aren’t Cleaned Between Flights [Roundup]

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Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Once again, a strong argument against screens as opposed to Bringing Your Own Entertainment.

  2. “Those Screens Aren’t Cleaned Between Flights” which is why it’s sad that United is the only remaining US carrier to still offer those alcohol cleaning wipes upon boarding. C’mon Delta… @Tim Dunn… bring back the ‘premium’ wipes!

  3. @Denver Refugee — Oh no. Not this again… Having IFE is better than not, regardless of ‘filth.’

  4. I’m not sure why people get so freaked out about seeing feet on AVOD screens; you SIT in a seat after someone whose personal hygiene habits you don’t know a thing about. that is true about any common carrier whether that be an Uber ride or the NYC subway.

    If being in the space of other people bothers you, bring your own wipes. and, no, the wipes that UA provides aren’t near large enough to sanitize all of the surfaces of your seat.

    the best thing that happened w/ covid was those disinfectant sprayers that DL and other airlines used between every flight. I’d like just one airline to say that they still do something comparable even if once per day.

  5. A healthy human body is able to dispense with a certain amount of germs, otherwise, a ride on the NYC subway would be deadly. Serious, bring hand wipes to use before consuming any food on board. Easy problem solved.

  6. @1990 – My objections are less about “filth” than they are about being bombarded with screens throughout my flight.

    And “screens” here really means “advertising.” Otherwise, the IFE system would respect my decision to turn it off for the duration of the flight rather than turning back on for various announcements followed by advertisements.

    For the record, the only IFE I ever liked was back when AirTran had XM Radio on board.

  7. @Tim Dunn — It’s the thought that counts, even if it’s mere hygiene theater. Bah!

    @Denver Refugee — You know that ‘change my mind’ meme. Well, friend, you may have slightly changed my mind, because you are correct that some airlines do nearly ‘weaponize’ their screens into advertising.

    Admittedly, even if not using the ‘entertainment,’ I do still enjoy the ‘flight map’ for information purposes (current location, estimated remaining flight time, altitude, air speed, etc.)

  8. @Denver Refugee you are in a communal space that is designed to accommodate the comfort of everyone, not just you. Don’t like IFE screens, you have options to fly. If you are facing forward and minding your own business at best you can see two other screens with making an effort.

    I do not like being “bombarded” with people gabbing the whole was through a flight. I do not like being “bombarded” my screaming babies and barking “service” animals. These are the realities of flying commercial in America in 2025 so I put my headphone on and ignore it.

    You might want to try an eye mask if the screens bother you.

  9. Are people’s feet really dirtier than people’s disgusting hands? Most people probably don’t even wash their hands after using the bathroom.

  10. @Parker — I appreciate your emphasis on “service” animals. I stopped bringing my pups on-board because it was traumatizing for them (and us); some other passengers really do use them as the ‘weakest link’ to go after you (‘I’m allergic… I’ll sue because your dog is gonna kill me!’ was my all-time favorite; alas, they lived, no law suite, sad.) Besides, it really should only be for folks that truly need it, and that those are trained working dogs, not mere pets. That said, I’d never put them under (cargo) either. Drive, take the boat, or don’t travel with animals, unless it’s really necessary.

  11. I know some people so into feet, they wouldn’t just pay to watch this freaky in-flight foot show, they’d drop extra cash to tongue-bathe the touchscreen like it’s a jizz-soaked communion wafer, whispering “thank you daddy” to Seat 22B’s big toe.

  12. @Mike Hunt — Are you sure you aren’t the same guy as @Erect? Umm, @L737, you seein’ this?

  13. @1990 – Most assuredly I am not. No proponent of the CCP could ever be as creative as me.

  14. @Mike Hunt — You know, that checks out. And, I still very much do enjoy your poetry on here.

  15. @1990. I have two dogs that are designated as psychiatric support dogs…which ARE covered by the ADA. I can take them anywhere I want, but I don’t.

    They are Great Danes.

    While very well-behaved, quiet and gentle. I would NEVER take them on a plane, to an indoor restaurant space, to the grocery store. You see, my common sense is stronger than my need for my service dog at that moment.

    I am legally allowed the fly with them seated next to me. I zoombird between PA and FL. I would NEVER put them on a plane. I’ve seen it once with a Dane, but I just could imagine the stress it would cause…me. LOL!

  16. Back to the original post, I am always horrified about where people think they can put their feet in an airplane. I wonder if they do this at home.

    Unusually shoot them a nasty look…look at their feet…shoot them a nasty look…and on and on until they out their feet down.

    For people using IFE and torturing me Fox News I turn on the gayest, draggiest, most outrageous show I can find and cackle like a dizzy queen the whole way through the flight and until we pull up to the gate.

  17. @Parker – I’m gay man who actually happens to like Fox News, so those tactics wouldn’t work on me.

  18. @Parker — Thank you for sharing about your mini-horses, I mean, pups!

    @Mike Hunt — You remain quite the enigma. Which reminds me, “enigmas never age, have you noticed that?” (I realize Fox has strayed away from that topic, but, thankfully WSJ hasn’t.)

  19. Yikes, while I appreciate that there should be no expectation of cleanliness on an aircraft, people could at least be reasonable (golden rule??) and have some baseline decency.

    @Mike Hunt – That’s quite the imagery! I too appreciate the poetic skills. @1990, perhaps @Erect could enlighten us with some poetry as well so we have some more evidence to work with.

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