In the wake of COVID-19, touchless, hygienic cabin interiors have been proposed as a solution to help keep passengers safe during travel. Keeping hands clean by frequently washing with soap and water helps prevent infection, and the fewer surfaces that must be touched after washing, the safer passengers can remain. Although many in the aircraft industry have proposed solutions that address travel safety during the COVID-19 crisis, Jamco Corporation’s hands-free lavatory door system is the first product worldwide to roll out a demonstration with an airline. In collaboration with All Nippon Airways (ANA), a Skytrax certified 5 Star Airline in Japan, Jamco rolled out its new hands-free lavatory door for testing at Tokyo Haneda Airport in August.
The new, hands-free lavatory lock knob and door handle was well-received by the majority of passengers. Jamco and ANA have worked together to provide a solution for passengers who don’t want to use their fingers or hands to touch the lavatory door. This innovative door latch system allows passengers to use their forearm or elbow to open the door and return to their seats with their hands remaining clean. By helping passengers to exit the lavatory and still maintain cleanliness after washing, the system helps to stop the spread of illness. What’s more, the hands-free lavatory lock knob and door handle are low-cost items that won’t burden airline operational budgets. The new system can be installed simply overnight to existing lavatories without major modification. In addition to being the development partner for the hands-free products, ANA is expected to be launched soon as the first operator. Launching these new products furthers the ANA Care Promise, the company’s commitment to ensure health and safety of passengers with hygienic environments in airports, lounges, and onboard aircrafts.
Jamco’s hands-free lavatory door technology, developed in partnership with ANA Care Promise, and other concepts of the company’s “Project Blue Sky” initiative are designed to increase cabin cleanliness and to alleviate passenger stress during air travel, both critically important in the wake of the COVID-19 global health crisis. Jamco has the unique position of being the lavatory and galley supplier for a variety of aircrafts, including the sole original equipment lavatory and galley supplier for the 787 aircraft. Jamco welcomes all airlines to take the opportunity to implement hands-free lavatory door technology and improve passenger health and safety, to the benefit of all.