Tokyo—American Airlines has begun installing lavatory modules from The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., as replacement units in its Boeing 757 aircraft, Yokohama announced today. The selection evidences high regard for the curved design of the lavatory modules, including an outward-rounded configuration for the door, which maximizes interior space and convenience. American Airlines put the first of the new lavatory modules into service in January 2009, and Yokohama expects to deliver about 500 modules under the supply contract.

Yokohama was the exclusive supplier of lavatory modules for factory installation in the B757. That model was Boeing's core medium-sized airliner until it went out of production in 2005, and numerous B757s remain in service worldwide. Those airliners present immense potential demand for replacement lavatory modules, and airlines value improvements in lavatory-module design and functionality as a means of reinforcing their competitiveness. In winning the supply contract with American Airlines, Yokohama demonstrated an uncommon commitment to fulfilling the airline's demanding expectations.

Innovatively curved covers for the lavatory-amenity dispensers in Yokohama's new lavatory modules make hand washing easier. Lights beside the mirror provide indirect illumination to furnish accurate reflection of the face. And light emitting diode (LED) task lights installed around the sink brighten the view for hand washing. Shelves behind the mirror, meanwhile, provide twice as much storage space as in the B757's factory-installed lavatory modules. That simplifies lavatory maintenance for the cabin attendants. Advances in material selection have reduced the weight per module to only 100 kilograms. That is 10% lighter than the factory-installed modules and thus contributes to aircraft fuel saving.