In-flight hazmat start-up sells 50,000 units, but airlines could ban them on-board

With face coverings now compulsory on most flights, one Canadian tech firm has taken things to the next level by developing a ‘haute hazmat’ suit to be worn in public and on planes. However, it may not be allowed on board at all. A Toronto-based company specialising in personal protective gear launched the BioVYZR via the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. Costing $249, the protective suit resembles the top half of an astronaut suit, fitted with hospital-grade air-purifying technology and anti-fogging windows. Some 50,000 suits have been pre-ordered to date; the first batch will be delivered by the end of July. However, one obstacle for in-flight users is that the BioVYZR dampens outside sound; the user can be heard, but they cannot clearly hear. This means anyone wearing one on a plane would be required to remove the protective suit during the safety instructions, and when communicating with flight attendants and fellow passengers. Another, fairly significant obstacle is that some airlines are saying they would not be allowed on board at all. A spokesperson for easyJet said “you wouldn’t be allowed them on any aircraft currently. You need to be able to fit an aircraft oxygen face mask in case of decompression and that would be impossible in this suit.”<br/>