Cleaning with a Purpose, American Airlines earns STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council

American is the first airline to achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation from GBAC

Cleaning with a Purpose, American Airlines earns STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council

January 4 - American is the first airline to achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) for its entire fleet of aircraft and Admirals Club lounges.

STAR is a performance-based program based on American establishing effective cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention work practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics such as the coronavirus (COVID-19).

“GBAC STAR is the gold standard for ensuring our facilities and planes have the most effective and expert-endorsed cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention protocols in place to combat COVID-19,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American Airlines. “Achieving this recognition is a testament to the countless hours of research, planning and work the team has dedicated to making sure our customers have the safest environment possible when flying with us.”

GBAC STAR accreditation is only awarded after a thorough and detailed review by the microbial-pathogenic leaders who are a part of GBAC. Achieving GBAC STAR means that these experts have determined that American’s aircraft and lounges have a comprehensive plan to:

• Establish and maintain a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents like SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19
• Ensure the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices are in place to combat biohazards and infectious disease
• Work with highly informed cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response

“By achieving GBAC STAR accreditation, American can further instill confidence in its customers and team that American’s planes and lounges have the proper cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention systems in place to handle biorisks like the novel coronavirus,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “We commend American for its commitment to meeting a higher standard of cleaning and disinfection for all of its constituents.”

GBAC is a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. GBAC members who reviewed American’s procedures and plans are international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery.