Owing to the current unprecedented circumstances due to the pandemic and the concerns raised on safe air travel, a Japanese airline has begun its trial for a new hands-free toilet door affair. In view of the evidences pertaining to the fact that the deadly contagion can survive on a surface for a long period of time.
As such, experts have laid sufficient stress on hand hygiene, the use of sanitizers, gloves, sneezing on the elbows, etc. An airline called All Nippon Airways (ANA) has already tried its hands with a prototype for a toilet door that can be opened and operated easily using elbows.
While the door opens inwards, its latch is to be pushed rather than pulled, making it easy for any passenger to use their elbows instead of their hands. As one enters the toilet, there is a provision to slide-bolt the door, which can again be done using the elbows. The toilet door is a prototype, designed by aviation product development company JAMCO and is only available at the ANA lounge in Haneda Airport in Tokyo.
The airline is trying to collect feedback until the end of this month, and if passengers share a positive response, this prototype could very well be integrated into the ANA network. Till then, passengers have to manage with the airline’s ‘Care Promise’, which promises to ensure “the comfort and safety of all its valued passengers and our employees by providing customers with clean and hygienic environments in airports, lounges and on board aircrafts”.
Just like any other airline, the ANA, too, is urging travellers to wear face masks or face coverings while taking a flight, use self-service kiosks to check in, etc. They are also being asked to rate airlines on its cleanliness, its seating area, the cabin panels, carpets, toilets, etc.