Boeing's Self-Cleaning Bathroom Would Nuke Germs with UV Rays

(curious playful music)

[Host] This might look like Virgin Atlantic's

newest super-hip lighting scheme,

but it's actually Boeing's prototype self-cleaning bathroom.

That glow isn't mood lighting.

It's an ultra-violet light that can zap 99.99% of germs

your fellow flyers leave behind.

When you close the door behind you,

two sets of UV lights will turn on

and disinfect the whole tiny room in just three seconds.

For extra protection,

the faucet, soap dispenser, hand dryer,

and toilet seat will all be hands-free.

In between flights,

airline crews will still manually clean the lavatory

since there are some messes

no amount of sunlight can tackle.

If you're hoping to get bronzed on your way to the Bahamas,

though, you're out of luck.

Boeing's UV rays aren't the kind you see in tanning salons,

and they should only turn on when the lav is unoccupied.

So maybe you're middle seat isn't going

to get bigger any time soon,

but at least your time on that other seat

should be a little more pleasant.

(curious playful music)