Nick Gray, whose commentary I often much like, suggests that the reason passengers are told to use the lavatory in their ticketed cabin is to (1) reduce work for flight attendants, and (2) convince you to buy up to the more expensive cabin. This does not make sense.
I guess now is a good time to tell you my conspiracy theory about First Class bathrooms on airlines and why they are a scam
The forward bathrooms on commercial aircraft were never designed to only be used by first class passengers
They are actually a scam by the unionized… pic.twitter.com/C7GjpUNOLi
— Nick Gray / How to Make Friends (@nickgraynews) October 6, 2024
First, it’s not even the rule across the board. Second, it doesn’t actually reduce flight attendant workload in any meaningful way (it’s not as though flight attendants are cleaning the lav between uses on U.S. carriers). And third, for the most part those forward lavs on domestic widebodies aren’t sufficiently better to warrant a buy up.
If you want to search for an explanation, then there’s some exclusivity element and some (stretched) security element. Mostly, like the American flight attendants who created a makeshift barrier to keep passengers out of the back galley recently, cabin crew make up their own rules in the air and there’s little oversight or enforcement.
Now, which lavatory should you be allowed to use on your flight? If you’re a coach passenger, can you use the bathroom up front in first class? What if a flight attendant’s drink cart is blocking the aisle and you can’t make your way to the back and you really have to go? In general the correct approach ought to be,
- Passengers should use the lavatory in their ticketed cabin first
- First class passengers should have priority for the forward lavatory
- However during drink service on a single aisle aircraft passengers blocked from walking back to the lavatory should be able to use the closest lav.
- And in an emergency you use whatever is available.
American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX Lavatory
American Airlines does not have a policy against coach passengers using the first class lavatory for domestic flights, or for flights departing the U.S. of course in the moment ignoring crewmember instructions not to leave your ticketed cabin isn’t likely to end well even when that order is contrary to company policy.
Other airlines – and jurisdictions – treat the matter differently! For instance a coach passenger was arrested for using a business class lavatory on a Vienna – Abu Dhabi flight.
Then again, on some foreign carriers there’s actually a reason to try to use the lav up front! Like Qatar Airways on their Airbus A380:
And the Emirates spa shower in their Airbus A380 first class lavs:
But domestic airlines flying domestically? When you gotta go, you gotta go.
And there’s planes like SAS’s A330s, where on transatl flights reserve the forward biz lav for themselves and the pilots.
“Makeshift barriers” are not a problem .
“Miniskirt barrier” would be a problem .
This is a rule that was in place at certain airlines from international destinations back to the states. The PA was “please use the lavatory in your ticketed cabin.” For most airlines that is no longer a requirement, but most F/A’s simply don’t read their manuals, or impose their personal rules. Can’t get in the way of their Candy Crush game.
Gotta go? Go to jail, do not collect $200 or a free drink coupon. Jail? For peeing? Geez !!!
If I “have to go”, I will use whatever restroom is available.
Please ignore all the rules when it comes to the bathroom. Go when you have to, to any one and at any time. It’s far worse for everyone involved when a person goes in their seats or in the aisle because of an ignorant FA.
Alaska Airlines said on a recent flight to use the lav in the cabin in which you are seated, but if the cart is blocking the aisle, you can use the forward lav…if it’s occupied, you just need to wait by “row 6” (behind the last row of first class) until it’s available. Because…you know, that rule about “no line may form at the forward lav” for security reasons. I’m glad they make this exception now, since all of the other lavs are in the back of the plane. One time I tried to go back there from my seat a few rows behind First, not realizing the cart was in the way as I couldn’t see it from my seat. I ended up standing in the aisle for several minutes before I could head on back to the lav. The flight attendants hadn’t mentioned being able to use the forward lav on that flight, or I would have tried going there. I think maybe they decided to change things because too many passengers were standing a long time in the aisle, which could be dangerous if the plane encounters turbulence. I’m not sure, though…just my guess.
So if I *need* to go in Six Decks to Darwin* cattle class and can’t get to the facility, and can’t use 1C, is it okay to use a Feminine Urinary Director?
*Six Decks to Darwin – song about live cattle hauling.
When I’m upgraded to the pointy end, I make certain to glare heavily at anyone from cattle class who dares to use the first-class lavatory. It’s part of the perks of being in First Class. If you wanted to use the lav with no waiting and no trip to the back, then you should have paid for the privilege.
I think that AA needs to stop the cavalcade of people tromping back and forth through first class on domestic flights. If it was just an occasional thing it wouldn’t be a problem but on my recent flights it’s been almost nonstop.
I was in first class on Delta when I walked to the front lavatory. The flight attendant in first class then told me that I had to wait until he finished serving the meals because he did not want me to get in his way. Not wanting to create a scene, I listened to him, went back to my seat in the FIRST-CLASS section, and patiently waited. In retrospect, I could simply tell him that I had to go!
WAS EVIDENCE COLLECTED?
It will be needed for the court proceedings…..
TLDR – FA’s are scum.. O’Hare – GFYS.
I did use the first class bathroom once when I was in coach. That was because, I was very close to first. Also, I had to go bad. Plus, I asked the flight attendant.
Unfortunately with airline lavatories, it’s impossible to leave an upper decker in first class.
How about using the bathrooms in the terminal? They are MUCH more sanitary and bigger than bathrooms on narrowbody aircraft. Most domestic flights are 2 hours or less, plan accordingly.
The real reason that the folk in peon class are not allowed in the 1st class lavs is that those of us who have paid a lot of money for 1st class seats don’t want to share their facilities with the low class peons in the back.
DON
I honestly can’t believe that any airline company would have such a rule on their planes. To me, this sounds utterly ridiculous and I think the FA’s for this Airline company ought to have their heads examined on this. For myself,I would use any lavatory that I please and if any FA or passengers had a problem with that,I would literally say *Tough Shit* deal with it you Losers
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS THIS IS THE POLICY AT AMERICAN,AIN CABIN USE AFT LAVS. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT LUMP IT. PREMIUM HAVE THEIR OWN TOILETS FORWARD OF THEIR SEATS SHARED WITH BUSINESS. POLICY. SECURITY.
Many flight attendants will require coach passengers to stand at row 8 in part so that the flight attendant can do their duties and first class passengers get first crack at the first lav. As it should be.
Restricting Lavs can be very dangerous! I was on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight with cattle class lavs a deck below my seat. I have no depth perception, so going down poorly lit stairs is quite dangerous for me. Fortunately, the FA had made a point to tell me to use the business lavs. Unfortunately, even when you request assistance as a disabled passenger, airlines are wildly inconsistent about actually following procedure. I am supposed to get an individualized safety briefing as I am low vision. This only happens about 10% of the time. If you think I’m going to risk injury by going down unfamiliar stairs, you can think again!
Walter: Ram it, pleb. I can’t believe that you can vote like I can. Trailer trash like you should be disenfranchised and then used as targets on an Army rifle range.
@ O’Hare Is My Second Home. Are you the person who was timing the flight attendant visits to the cockpit and then complained about me in a letter to the airline? BTW my answer to the Chief Pilot . . . the passenger (you?) should consider bringing more engaging entertainment material aboard.
@ Gary. Hey Gary, why are my comments being “moderated?” I am an arbiter of truth and I keep it mannerly and socially acceptable, IMHO.
@One Trippe – I do not know why your comment was routed through the moderation queue (I cleared it)