Qantas has been ordered to improve how it cleans its aircraft after a workplace safety inspection found the airline could be putting workers and passengers at risk of catching coronavirus.

SafeWork NSW issued the airline with an improvement notice on February 26, after an inspector found that workers or passengers could be put at risk due its "inadequate system of work used to clean planes that may have transported passengers with an infectious disease".

A Qantas spokesman said the airline was investigating SafeWork NSW's claims and was "considering appealing the notice".

"Our aircraft are thoroughly cleaned after each international flight," he said.