Is this the future of plane toilets? Airline tests new 'hygienic' hands-free lavatories amid coronavirus pandemic

Japanese airline All Nippon Airways is currently in the process of testing out bathroom doors that can be opened and closed by elbow

All Nippon Airways is currently testing out a toilet door which can be opened, closed and locked with elbows. AFP

Even before the pandemic, if there was one part of a plane most people were usually uncomfortable with, it would probably be the lavatory.

Throw in the fact that one has to twist a doorknob to get in, and it's clear why people might be hesitant about entering the washroom on a plane in the era of Covid-19.

In light of this, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways is currently testing out a bathroom door concept, whereby the doorknob can be opened and closed using an elbow.

How it works

The prototype comprises a handle that can be pushed using an elbow to open or close the door.

There is also a latch that slides to lock and unlock the door.

The novel lavatory door has been jointly developed with Jamco, an aircraft engine parts and interior supplier company. It is currently being trialled in the ANA lounge at Hadeda Airport in Japan.

A spokesperson for ANA told the BBC that some of its planes were already fitted with sensor taps in the lavatories. At first, the airline explored the option of opening the toilet door by foot, but developed the idea further, due to safety reasons amid "turbulence [when] passengers might lose their balance".

However, according to its website, Jamco is also looking into mechanisms such as foot pedals to enable toilet lids and seats to be raised and lowered, hands-free waste flaps and contactless faucets (which use infrared sensors).

As of now, it is not clear if the doorknob will pass regulations and get rolled out in the ANA network.

But they certainly might make heading to the toilet while onboard a much more pleasant experience.

The leading Japanese airline is known for its hygiene and cleanliness. It was named the world’s cleanest airline in the world in 2018 by the Skytrax World Airline Awards, which is based on passenger ratings, and came in third place, in the same category, in 2019.