Here’s a topic that I figure makes for an interesting discussion. If you’re traveling in economy, can you use the first class lavatory? And if you can, should you?
Continue reading: Can Economy Passengers Use First Class Lavatory?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The 767 Polaris are least enforce even on international flights.
Then there's the similar galley issue.
Alaska policy (announced during takeoff on most flights) is that economy pax can only use the aft lavatories, except during in-flight service when the bev cart is blocking access. This is also sometimes enforced by FAs.
“Can” and “should” are very different. You can be a grumpy a-hole throughout life. The bottom quintile of residents in NYC are like this.
But you should strive to be pleasant which includes a mildly smiling countenance at all times. This comes naturally to some, but takes practice for others. The top quintile of residents in NYC, if they were the representative of NYC, then NYC or much of the Northeast, at large, would have a much friendlier reputation.
And if you can get to the top 1% or better then you have biglaw rainmaker partner written all over you.
Economy passengers should not use the first class toilets. The domestic first class experience isn't that great, so having peasants congregate and look at you makes it worse.
The lavatory issue would be solved by the implementation of a beautiful tariff. MAGA!
On domestic "first" perfectly acceptable to do so.
On true first on long haul international flights - absolutely not ok for econ pax to use first/business class lavs.
If you want to use the first class lavatory, buy a first class ticket. The access restriction is part of the value one gets from spending extra for first class. Everything else is an encouragement of socialism.
Socialism? Can’t you exaggerate a little bit more?
Let people use the restroom, especially if the ones in the back face a queue…
In my experience, only on a U.S. airline has this situation ever been an issue.
In both cases the issue was rendered worse because of the attitude of the female passengers involved, they both believed, making it loudly clear to all, that they were entitled to deposit their bodily waste in whichever lavatory they choose.
They completely ignored the FA’s and other passengers who objected to their behaviour and language, spoiling what could have been two otherwise pleasant flights.
And what is the relevance of identifying those passengers as female other than conveying your bigotry?
Likely because women often take longer to use the lavatory. Like when you see long lines at a sports event or a concert specifically for women's restrooms. Could've been worded better, but the fact remains that men have a much quicker bathroom turnaround time so waiting is typically less of an issue.
In the EU, is there a law which explicitly prevents an airline from restricting access to the toilets based on booking class?
I thought there was, but then I wouldnt find it.
If the service cart is blocking the path to the rear lavatories, economy passengers should be permitted use the forward lavatory. Otherwise, please proceed to the rear of the plane.
Couple of things. I believe the “no crossing cabins” on international inbound flights to the US is gone; the only rule now is no congregating in the alleys and aisles. Secondly, there have been lawsuits (in the US of course) about violation of the ADA with regard to lavatory access on airplanes such that crews (on at least some airlines) have been told by management they cannot expressly forbid passengers from using lavatories in another cabin.
You're trying too hard to be offended and use the word bigot. ease up on your savior complex. All he did was mention it was female passengers involved. If he said it was male passengers, you'd have kept scrolling and not been offended.
Most domestic first/business is slightly upgraded economy seats so there's not much separation among them anyways. On international flights you're usually going to walk past multiple lavatories on your way to trying to use the business/first lavatories so you're going out of your way to do it in those scenarios.
Worldwide, toilets are usually defined as "Male/Female", "Customers/Employees only", "First/Business/Economy"...
There are toilets assigned to everyone, what's the big deal that some people are trying to make here?
I am paying for a business ticket also to have comfortable access to the toilet (yes, one of the perks of paying more), and I have reasons for that. And, yes, there are emergencies which everyone (normal) understands.
Try in Pentagon to go to the toilets that are not meant for visitors, claiming your rights...
Not sure that ADA is an issue for airplane toilets, except on 747s and A380s that have two floors and no elevator.
For me the issue is not some guy taking a pee and being in and out in 2 minutes. But the minority of passengers who hog the toilet, do their makeup etc.
Clearly DP, as you were not present on the flights in question, you could not appreciate the difference between bigotry and the facts.
What I failed to elaborate upon DP, was the uncalled for foul language which the FA’s and my fellow passengers had to endure in both instances. Their description of bodily waste was disgracefully base, in one case undeniably racist and most unladylike. A more usual place for their kind of language would be a GI’s barracks, flop or Midwest roadhouse.
There is NO bloody "two sides" to this. You're flying economy you stick to your cabin. It is not only a case of the first toilet being occupied by economy making the premium passengers having to wait, its the damn foot traffic through the first cabin as well. It's just bloody rubbish what goes on with US carriers. And calling the front cabin on US airlines is a joke anyway.
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND MEMORY
EY CL PAX WILL USE THE EYCL TOILETS ONLY AND THEY
WILL NOT CROSS THE LIMIT OF ECONOMY CLASS WHERE
THERE IS A CURTAIN FOR BEGINNING OF BUSINESS CLASS
THERE IS NO OCCASION WHERE I HAVE SEEN ANY EYCL PAX
HAVE GONE TO BUSINESS/FIRST CLASS TOILETS
PAX FOLLOW THE DISCIPLINE AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY
CONTROVERSIES OR PROBLEMS TO OTHER HIGHER CLASS PAX
ABOVE IS MY EXPERIENCE IN MY 27 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN
AN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE. EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON
SMOOTHLY DURING PERIOD.
I pay first and business to have some small degree of privacy and hopefully a clean bathroom.
If people want to use the bathroom in First or business they should buy a ticket and stop bothering people tramping through.
Even in Flagship business class they are letting a constant stream of people trail through and on a flight from Miami to Barcelona last week one of of the flight attendants when I asked why these people were disturbing me told me that American had told their flight attendants to allow it.
Well American from now on it's Byebye, Adiós and Au Revoir, there are other airlines out there that have more respect for their premium passengers.
Toilet access should be by credit card or app.
Free for the first 5 minutes with a charge after that.
This is truly a pet peeve of mine. I always fly premium/first/business. Years ago, people were instructed to use the cabin in which their seating was assigned. Recently the laws have changed I guess? On a flight not so long ago, a man from economy with major heath issues continued to use the forward cabin throughout the entire flight. He needed assistance from his wife , left the door ajar during these episodes. I am trying to be nice, because i understand he was disabled. However, it seemed unfair to us sitting in the first row to be exposed to this terrible stench and visual commotion. ( the attendants were rolling their eyes and making coffee lol)
We used the lavs in the rear of the aircraft because he was inside for at least 1/2 hour each time. That was an exception I guess. It truly makes me upset when those from the back that pay a fraction of the price continually pass by and use the lavs for most of the flight. (especially when sitting in row 1). The smell and constant traffic is unfair to those paying a premium when the lav is at the very front of the plane. If it was located right behind business class, it would be ok. I had to use the back lavs several times because the economy passengers were occupying those in front.
I don't mind if it is empty. I do mind when people queue for the first class lavatory in the galley or aisle - because most of the time in first we wait while seated and then glance around at other pax when someone exits the lavatory to see if anyone else is rushing to use it, then stand up to use it. Especially as the cabin is being prepared for landing when many first pax would like to use it quickly before landing.
Everything bad comes from Socialism, didn't you know? Including body odor, cavities, and bad-hair days....
If the first class lavatory isn’t being occupied I think economy class should be allowed to use it, however, if there is a Meal service being presented to the first class cabin I think allowing economy class passengers using the lavatory interrupts the service flow and they should be required to use the lav interrupts their cabin
So, what’s the deal on US carriers traveling back to the States?
What about foreign carriers traveling to and from the US of A?
You missed these possibilities.
My 2¢: B and F passengers are paying for comfort in-flight whether it be domestic or international travel. Having Y passengers line up and wait in the aisles of B or Y is not only an eyesore, but an unpleasant experience for those passengers sitting in the premium cabin.
There are several things to consider.
1. On narrow-body aircraft it may not be practical to ask economy class passengers to only use the aircraft lavatories in the rear (e.g. when blocked by galley carts).
Hence a simple comparison what US airlines do and what non-US airlines do will not on transatlantic or transpacific flight may miss that point as domestic flights are largely on narrow-bodies and transatlantic and transpacific flights are mainly on wide-bodies.
2. Passengers in the premium cabin pay for added comfort and having them wait in economy style queues in front of lavatories does used by economy class passengers not fit that image. It stands also to reason that lavatories in classes with lower (premium class) seat density are cleaner and service by a flight attendant after a lower number of passengers visits. If you have been forced to use unsanitary Y class cabin lavatories on long distance flights you may understand what I am aiming at.
3. There was a directory issues in the post 9/11 ere that required airlines to make an announcement that passengers should only use lavatories in their service class area and refrain from congregating in groups. Some airlines still make that announcement and some don’t.
4. Well, as the saying goes: if you gotta go you gotta go. I presume - if nicely asked - a flight attendant will understand that should only a higher class lavatory be available.
United seems to be militant on enforcing the FC bathroom rule to the point of being rude to people..
recently had this problem was first row economy and meal service blocking the aisle from the 14 business class seats no one needed the wc but fa didn't let me which is understandable but frustrating
If you purchased a ticket in row 6 premium class on a domestic flight on Alaska-( 2 rows behind 1st class on a 737 max9) will you get the 'ol stink eye for using the front bathroom? The one in back is a long way back.
Thanks for any input.
Segregation based on race used to be allowed… now segregation based on class/income level is allowed.
A private bathroom is not part of your earned benefit on the vast majority of airlines. Besides, are you gonna check and see if the flight attendant told them to use that bathroom? There is a difference between a rule and an expectation.
Domestic "first" still cost two to three times as much as economy........so not perfectly acceptable??????
I pay extra, for the EXTRA comforts, a bigger seat, meals, drinks, a cleaner bathroom that’s available when I need it. For that reason I pay almost 3 times more for my seat.
I don’t want people walking by my seat every other minute to use the bathroom.
Sometimes even bumping into your seat.
Uited has the most cranky FC FA's and they enforce go to the back restroom even if its 20 rows away!