We have seen virtually all airlines improve their cleaning protocols, although JetBlue is testing really attractive technology.
JetBlue has become the first US airline to begin using the Honeywell UV cabin system, which can fly through an airplane in less than 10 minutes. In studies, ultraviolet light has been found to be able to significantly reduce certain viruses and bacteria when properly applied at prescribed levels.
JetBlue currently has eight of these devices, and they are being put to work at both New York JFK International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. These devices will be used by JetBlue for a 90-day trial period to assess impact. Of course, this will add to JetBlue which uses its current improved cleaning procedures.
The Honeywell UV Cabin System is about the size of a beverage cart and has UV-C light arms that extend over the top of the seats and sweep the cabin to treat aircraft surfaces. Properly applied, UV-C lights can deliver doses that clinical studies have shown are capable of reducing various viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.
As JetBlue President and Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty describes this move:
“With the safety of our crew members and customers as our first priority, JetBlue’s Safety From Scratch initiative maintains a layered approach to safety by ensuring healthy crew members, providing flexibility, adding space, reducing contact points and keep surfaces clean and disinfected. As we seek to add additional layers of protection through the use of state-of-the-art technology, we have identified the Honeywell UV Cabin System as a potential game changer when it comes to efficiently aiding our efforts to disinfect surfaces on board. “
This is how Honeywell Aerospace President and CEO Mike Madsen describes this development:
“JetBlue was immediately interested in this new product when we demonstrated it a few weeks ago, and JetBlue is now receiving our first systems. We have rapidly increased production in the UV cabin system, and our company is working on a range of solutions to help passengers feel more comfortable flying. ”
Here is a video of this new Honeywell technology in operation on a JetBlue aircraft:
Bottom line
JetBlue is the first airline in the United States to test the Honeywell UV cabin system, which is designed to reduce viruses and bacteria on surfaces. This is being done in addition to all of JetBlue’s other current enhanced cleaning protocols.
Of course, this sounds great in theory, but I’m curious to see how this will be used in practice. 10 minutes is not an insignificant amount of time when flying an airplane, especially if this must be done in conjunction with other cleaning procedures.
Also, I realize that I am exceptionally clumsy, but am I the only one wondering if this will work as well as the video suggests? This device works in tight spaces and almost seems a bit flimsy.
What do you think of this technology?
