JetBlue to Use Honeywell's UV Cleaning System for its Aircraft

By Matt Turner Jul 29, 2020 11:24am

Honeywell's new UV Cabin System has been put in service as part of a pilot by JetBlue Airways, marking the first time a U.S. airline has implemented the Honeywell technology. In clinical studies, ultraviolet light has been found to be capable of significantly reducing certain viruses and bacteria when properly applied at prescribed levels. The Honeywell UV Cabin System can traverse an aircraft cabin in less than 10 minutes, and JetBlue will be gauging the system's place in its operation, while continuing other cleaning methods.

Honeywell has delivered eight of the devices to JetBlue, and the devices are now being put into service as part of JetBlue's “Safety from the Ground Up” program at two of the airline's focus cities, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. These two locations kicked off a 90-day pilot program for JetBlue to evaluate the Honeywell solution.

Here’s video of the Honeywell UV Cabin System treating a JetBlue aircraft:

The Honeywell UV Cabin System is roughly the size of an aircraft beverage cart and has UV-C light arms that extend over the top of seats and sweep the cabin to treat aircraft surfaces. Properly applied, UV-C lights can deliver doses that clinical studies have found to be capable of reducing various viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Results vary based on UV dosage and application.

For SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, there are multiple medical studies underway involving UV-C light, according to Honeywell and JetBlue. Preliminary results from studies performed by Boston University and a consortium of Italian medical and academic professionals report that UV-C light can inactivate the virus at prescribed dosages in the lab. Additional studies are underway for other environments.

JetBlue to Use Honeywell's UV Cleaning System for its Aircraft

Related Stories