Last week, an Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing because of a passenger’s threats, apparently uttered out of frustration over an especially long restroom line. “By making seven people wait here to use the bathroom, while the whole bathroom up there is empty, it’s wrong,” the passenger said in a video taken of the incident, referring to empty restrooms in the first-class cabin.
I, too, have experienced being shamed out of using the first-class cabin restroom and directed back to a line of people waiting for the cramped bathroom in economy seating (though I’ve never resorted to threats or violence). But why can’t we use those restrooms—is it just because I didn’t buy a first-class ticket?
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Well, according to Forbes, allowing passengers to use any restroom—regardless of their designated cabin—can present safety issues, particularly if passengers loiter near the cockpit door. In other instances, it may also cause interruptions for airline attendants during food and drink service.
Here’s the good news: Most (if not, all) major U.S. airlines don’t explicitly restrict restrooms by cabin-class. Below you’ll find several of their policies, in case you find yourself facing a long line in the aisle:
- American Airlines: Does not restrict bathrooms by cabin classes on domestic and international flights that depart the U.S. (According to the Points Guy, it’s “TSA policy” to require international flights that return to the U.S. to use the lavatory in their class, however.)
- Alaska Airlines: “When possible, we ask that guests use the lav [lavatory] in the cabin there are seated in,” an airline rep told Forbes.
- Delta: Same as Alaska, but will accommodate “special” circumstances.
- JetBlue: Does not restrict bathrooms on domestic flights.
- United: Does not restrict bathrooms on domestic flights.
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Of course, there are exceptions. If an attendant specifically asks that you use a restroom in a given class, you should absolutely follow their directions, regardless of whether it’s written down in any policy. (In the Alaska Airlines example above, an attendant had reportedly asked the passenger to use his cabin’s restroom as the first-class one was occupied; refusing to comply with a crew member’s directions could be considered a federal violation.)
And as Forbes points out, if you require special accommodations or have an emergency, you should ask an attendant and inform them of your needs so that you can use whichever restroom you prefer.
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Here’s my take—unless you’re told otherwise, go for the first-class cabin restroom if you like. Given the vague policies of airlines like Alaska and Delta, it suggests that they’re at least willing to accommodate passengers when certain cabin’s restrooms are full up. And if a fellow passenger tries to argue with you regarding the bathroom, here’s how to (politely) inform them of your rights.
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