The Airport With The First-Ever Luggage Sanitation System In America

Let's say it like it is: Airports aren't necessarily known for being the cleanest spaces. From check-in kiosks and drop-off counters to conveyor belts, security scanners, and baggage carts, you and your things are in constant contact with some of the filthiest spots in an airport from the moment you check in until the moment you arrive at your destination.

Plus, considering it's not always easy to catch a flight during the best time of the day for germaphobes to fly — spoiler alert, it's early morning — you're likely to pick up more than a few unexpected passengers along the way during your travels. Specifically, we're talking about some really unfriendly commuters like dangerous bacteria that can cause infections and even hardy germs that can lead to serious respiratory infections and are often resistant to multiple drugs.

Luckily, JFK Airport has a new way to deal with the dirty reality of air travel — and make things a little cleaner and more hygienic for everyone. Enter: Clean. Clean uses UV-C light technology to eliminate 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and other germs from bags in seconds. That way, passengers can go on their merry way with the added peace of mind that their luggage isn't as dirty as it was when it left the conveyor belt.

Beyond the added bonus of germ-free luggage, using one of the Clean machines is also incredibly simple. Currently available only at JFK International Airport's Terminal 7 — with plans to expand to more transportation hubs across the country — all you need to do in order to sanitize your bags and personal items is find the machine of your choice, pay the fee, and place your luggage onto the belt. Then, just 20 seconds later, your clean-as-a-whistle luggage will slide out, ready to be rolled home (or to your hotel) safely.

In terms of pricing, the service also offers flexible fees based on how many bags you're planning to scan. For starters, travelers can sanitize one bag for $7, or two bags for $10. Meanwhile, for families or group travelers, Clean also provides options for up to eight bags for $40. The best part? If you're a member of one of Clean's participating airline loyalty programs, you can sanitize up to two pieces of luggage completely free after registering for the service and receiving your Clean QR code.

Best of all, though, running your bags through Clean before exiting the airport basically means you won't have to worry about cleaning your luggage after every trip or once you've made it all the way to your destination. Instead, you can take care of the sanitization process — and kill those nasty germs without the need for disinfectant or harsh cleaning sprays — directly at the source, making even more time for settling in or exploring your new surroundings.