When they said that you learn something every day, they certainly weren’t lying. For years, I’ve enjoyed traveling to some amazing places and have been to bizarre stops along the way.
Oddly enough, I have been strangely fascinated with architecture and airplane bathrooms, partly due to their unique places during travel.
One particular afternoon, I decided to research some and couldn’t believe some of the facts I’d found. While some airplane bathroom “facts” might be common knowledge to frequent flyers, here are 20 surprising or lesser-known things you may not know about airplane lavatories.
What You Never Knew About Airplane Bathrooms
1. Hidden Attendant Seat
On long-haul flights, especially those spanning continents or oceans, crew members need brief periods of rest to maintain alertness. Some larger aircraft are designed with a cleverly concealed jump seat within the lavatory compartment.
This seat, often folded away when not in use, allows a flight attendant to take a short break without occupying a passenger seat or disrupting the cabin. It’s a small space, but a vital one for crew well-being.
2. Frozen Poop Problem (Solved)
In the early days of aviation, aircraft waste disposal systems were far less sophisticated. Without proper pressurization and heating, waste expelled from the lavatory at high altitudes could freeze solid in the external plumbing. This resulted in large, icy masses of waste accumulating and potentially breaking off, sometimes impacting the aircraft itself or objects below.
Modern aircraft have resolved this issue by incorporating heated waste tanks and pressurized systems, ensuring that waste remains liquid until it can be safely disposed of on the ground.
3. Airbus vs. Boeing Speeds
It might seem like a trivial detail, but the flushing mechanisms in aircraft lavatories are engineered with surprising precision. Airbus and Boeing, the two giants of aircraft manufacturing, have different designs. Airbus toilets, in particular, are known for their powerful vacuum systems, which can theoretically generate flush speeds of up to 130 mph.
This rapid suction helps to efficiently clear waste and minimize odors. While Boeing’s systems are also effective, they tend to operate at slightly lower speeds, reflecting different engineering philosophies.
4. Secret Call Button
In the event of a medical emergency or other situation where a passenger is unable to reach the standard call button, some airlines have installed a hidden secondary call button near the lavatory floor.
This discreet button can be activated with a foot or hand, providing a crucial lifeline to the flight crew when conventional methods are inaccessible. It’s a safety measure designed to address a range of potential scenarios.
5. Not Just a Wastebasket
The small, seemingly innocuous trash bin located within the aircraft lavatory is not intended for general refuse. Its primary purpose is for the disposal of sanitary waste, such as feminine hygiene products.
Disposing of other trash, like food wrappers, paper cups, or plastic bottles, in this bin can clog the system and create hygiene issues. Passengers are expected to use the larger trash receptacles located throughout the cabin for general waste disposal.
6. High-Altitude Plumbing
Unlike the gravity-fed plumbing systems found in homes, aircraft lavatories rely on a vacuum-based system to move waste. At cruising altitudes, the lack of significant air pressure makes gravity ineffective.
The vacuum system creates a powerful suction that efficiently pulls waste from the toilet bowl into the holding tanks. This ingenious design ensures that the lavatory functions reliably regardless of the aircraft’s altitude or orientation.
7. Super Strong Ventilation
Maintaining a clean and odor-free environment in the confined space of an aircraft lavatory requires a robust ventilation system. Modern aircraft are equipped with powerful fans that continuously circulate and replace the air within the lavatory.
This constant airflow helps to minimize odors and remove airborne particles, ensuring a more pleasant and hygienic experience for passengers.
8. Ocean Fare, Not Sky High
Contrary to some misconceptions, the water used in the airplane lavatory sink is not recycled wastewater. It comes from the same freshwater tanks that supply the drinking water onboard. These tanks are filled before takeoff and are regularly sanitized to ensure water quality.
While the water is potable, airlines often advise passengers not to drink it from the lavatory tap, instead using provided bottled water.
9. Hidden Compartments
Aircraft lavatories, particularly on larger planes, may contain hidden compartments designed to store emergency supplies, medical kits, or other crew necessities.
These compartments are strategically placed to maximize space utilization and ensure that essential items are readily accessible in case of an emergency. The contents of these compartments are regularly checked and replenished by the flight crew.
10. Illuminating Trick
A simple but effective indicator of lavatory occupancy is the small light located above the door. This light is typically linked to the door lock mechanism and illuminates when the lavatory is in use.
This feature allows passengers to quickly determine if the lavatory is occupied without having to try the handle, preventing awkward encounters and streamlining lavatory usage.
11. Pilot Can See (But Not That)
While the cockpit crew can monitor the overall occupancy of the aircraft lavatories through the aircraft’s systems, they cannot see inside the lavatory itself. This is a crucial aspect of passenger privacy. The cockpit’s monitoring capabilities are limited to detecting whether the lavatory door is locked, providing information for general cabin management and security purposes.
12. Locked Out? Not for Long
To address situations where passengers accidentally lock themselves in the lavatory, flight attendants have access to a master key that can override the door lock. This ensures that passengers can be quickly and safely released from the lavatory without causing damage to the door or the surrounding structure.
13. Turbulence Trouble
During periods of turbulence, flight attendants may restrict lavatory usage to minimize the risk of passenger injuries. Sudden and unexpected bumps can cause passengers to lose their balance and potentially sustain injuries while in the confined space of the lavatory. Flight attendants prioritize passenger safety by temporarily closing the lavatories during turbulent conditions.
14. Mountain of Waste
Generally, long flights produce a large amount of lavatory waste. A single transatlantic flight can have hundreds of gallons of waste, requiring specialized airport disposal procedures. Airports have dedicated waste disposal trucks that collect and transport the waste to treatment facilities, ensuring proper sanitation and environmental protection.
15. Million Dollar Loos
The engineering and materials required for an airplane lavatory are very specialized. This leads to the cost of a single lavatory being very expensive. The vacuum systems, lightweight but durable materials, and the integration into the aircraft systems all add to the cost.
16. Boxed-In Beginnings
Early aircraft lavatories were extremely basic. They were often little more than a curtained-off section of the cabin, with minimal amenities. These rudimentary facilities lacked privacy, ventilation, and proper waste disposal systems, reflecting the nascent stage of aviation technology.
17. Royal Flush (Almost)
In 1937, some flying boats used a very simple method of waste disposal: direct dumping into the ocean. While this method was expedient, it was also environmentally unsound and quickly discontinued. Modern aircraft adhere to strict regulations regarding waste disposal to protect the environment.
18. The Lindbergh Legacy
Charles Lindbergh, the legendary aviator, is credited with advocating for the inclusion of lavatories on long-distance flights. During his historic transatlantic crossing, Lindbergh recognized the need for onboard sanitation and comfort, contributing to the development of modern aircraft lavatory systems.
19. Kaizen in the Skies
Airlines and aircraft manufacturers are constantly striving to improve lavatory design, hygiene, and functionality. They adopt a “kaizen” (continuous improvement) approach, implementing incremental changes and innovations to enhance the passenger experience. This includes exploring new materials, technologies, and layouts to create more comfortable and efficient lavatory environments.
20. Ashtray Oddity:
Despite the widespread ban on smoking on commercial flights, many aircraft still retain ashtrays in their lavatories. This is due to regulatory requirements that mandate ashtrays as a safety measure. The reasoning is that if someone were to smoke illegally, they should have a safe place to dispose of the cigarette butt, rather than discarding it in the trash, which could pose a fire hazard.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it–short and sweet. You may never see airplane bathrooms the same way again. Or maybe you will. Did anything surprise you? We’d love to hear your comments!
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