Tech

This Clever Design May Change Your Mind About Nasty Airplane Bathrooms

Boeing's self-cleaning lavatory kills germs with UV light after each use.

This Clever Design May Change Your Mind About Nasty Airplane Bathrooms
Boeing
SMS

Researchers are designing an airplane bathroom that eliminates 99.99 percent of germs and, with it, your fear of using the bathroom on a flight.

Boeing designed the restroom to clean itself within 3 seconds using UV light every time someone leaves the lavatory. The company says it will not only clean the surfaces, but it'll also help eliminate odors.

"Every virus, every bacteria, and it literally makes them explode," a researcher for Boeing said.

It's designed with many of the touchless features that are already on some planes, so no contortions to pump out soap with your elbow.

Touchless features are important because according to a survey from Travelmath, bathroom flush buttons are some of the germiest places on a plane. But, more surprisingly, seat-back tray tables are even dirtier.

More research is needed before Boeing's design could end up on your next flight.

This video includes clips from Boeing and images from eyeliam / CC BY 2.0Christian Trabold / CC BY 2.0 and Lian Chang / CC BY 2.0.