On a flight to Philadelphia a year ago, I saw a family using some sort of seatback tray covers. I didn’t think much of it, assuming they were handmade by a germ-conscious family. It was only after recently watching an interview I realized I saw an early incarnation of Go-Be Airplane Tray Covers.

The history of Go-Be dates back to a 2018 conversation between friends Cornelia Quinn and Barbara Booth. When Quinn expressed concern for her severely immunocompromised son traveling, Booth, a CNBC investigative reporter, looked into airplane cleanliness.

Booth discovered airplane tray tables were one of the germiest part of planes. She also was disturbed by the number of single-use disinfectant wipes used and discarded. The duo set out to create a product to provide an extra layer of natural protection. They also wanted it to be earth-friendly and fun. The end result was Go-Be sleeves.

In our Talking Travel interview, Booth gave a more detailed account of the process and their purpose. She also explained what makes Go-Be sleeves unique, along with future product ideas. Talking not just as a businessperson, Booth revealed her passion for travel in general.

Booth discussed her favorite places, future travel hopes, how travel has changed her and how she is changing travel. When I asked for her must-haves on any trip, I excluded Go-Be sleeves, of course.

Talking Travel is an interview series on Global Traveler. Subscribe to the GT YouTube channel to be notified of all future interviews and other travel-related videos.

— John Wroblewski, online writer