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Lighting, touchless tech and novel approaches to hygiene are freshening up the onboard lavatory experience. by Paul Sillers
Most of the in-flight experience has gone next-gen, except when nature calls and you saunter down the aisle to the lavatory. Inside, things don’t look too futuristic. But with increased anxiety about the transmission of germs and emerging threats such as Zika virus and norovirus, manufacturers are giving lavatories more attention. “We’re trying to alleviate the anxiety we all face when using a restroom,” says Jeanne Yu, Boeing’s director of Environmental Performance, on the lavatory mock-up under development at Boeing’s Payloads Concept Center. “In the prototype, we position the lights throughout the lavatory so that it floods the touch surfaces like the toilet seat, sink and countertops.” But Boeing’s not ABOVE Boeing’s UV lavatory LEFT closeup of Airbus’ Airspace lavatory
PHOTOS: BOEING; AIRBUS
spick-and-span Currently, lavatory cleaning and disinfecting takes 10 minutes with an additional 10 or 15 minutes for the exterior. Methods are mandated by the World Health Organization, but have not changed in 25 years.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
just employing any kind of light: When a passenger leaves the lavatory, far ultraviolet light beams zap the surfaces, eliminating odors and 99.99 percent of pathogens in just three seconds. The lights complement other hands-free features such as the sensoractivated faucet, soap dispenser, trash flap, toilet lid and hand dryer. “Touchless features are already in use on some Boeing airplanes,” Yu explains, “but combining that with the new UV sanitizing will give passengers even more protection from germs and make for an even better flying experience.” Airbus’ approach to lavatory redefinition is integrated with its
expansive reimagining of its cabins under the “Airspace by Airbus” branding concept. “Visibly brighter and cleaner, the lavatories will incorporate antibacterial surfaces and touchless operation, along with aroma dispensers and soothing rainforest mood sounds,” says Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus’ vicepresident of Cabin Marketing. Light is employed strategically to make the smaller footprint of the modular Space-Flex lavatory feel roomier. “Overall, the lavatory feels more spacious thanks to stylish fullcolor LED lighting from floor to ceiling and a softer, more rounded trim and finish, all for an individual ambience.”
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