Since I am not able to walk at all, I require assistance in the bathroom. When I travel with my aide or a female friend, this isn't a problem. However, when I travel with my boyfriend, it can be difficult--do I go into the Men's room, or does he go into the Women's room?

On the assumption that there are other disabled travelers out there with the same problem, I thought I'd start a thread listing airports with unisex restrooms.

SEA - home airport for me, so I've generally not had to use them, but there a few of them, generally located near the regular restrooms.

ORD - There's at least one, hidden in a special needs waiting room. If I remember correctly, it's across the hall from UA's Red Carpet Club.

SFO - Not sure about the public areas, but domestic and international RCCs have them.

MEL - Before you get to Customs there's a set of restrooms which have a separate, accessible restroom before you turn the corner into the main section (I believe there's one leading to the Men's and another one leading to the Women's, but I'm so exhausted by the time I arrive in MEL that I'm not sure http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif).

SIN - There is one down near the gates, but at least when we were there a few years ago, the person at the information desk didn't know that and got a janitor to stand guard outside the door of Women's for us!

YYZ - Not sure about the gate area, but at least one by the doors leading to the bus/shuttle pickups.

I also cannot walk. [4 years] I vaguely remember a Unisex bathroom at LGW - London Gatwick. I think it was before going through security for my flight.


[This message has been edited by DeafFlyer (edited Dec 03, 2003).]

I have seen women assisting disabled family members in the men's room. I didn't give it a second thought. I don't think you should be worried about doing this, even if there is no "family bathroom" or "accessible bathroom" available.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by OttoGraham:
I have seen women assisting disabled family members in the men's room. I didn't give it a second thought. I don't think you should be worried about doing this, even if there is no "family bathroom" or "accessible bathroom" available. </font>

Having a man entering their restroom can make some women uncomfortable and/or frightened. And given the lack of privacy provided by urinals, it can be awkward for all if I use the Men's. If those are our only options, we usually ask someone to preceed us to announce to anyone there that we're coming and to stand "guard" at the door to warn people there's someone of the opposite sex inside.

So, yes, if needed, we'll use a Men's or Women's. But it is much nicer when a separate restroom is available.

DIA (Denver) has several special assistance restrooms on the B concourse. They are separate from the regular lavs and are unisex with room for a helper.

The ADA cannot discriminate against those who need assistance in a restroom therfore there should be no problem for a person who is a different sex to help the person with a disability. Would you rather have a smelly airplane? or have a place to go when nature calls?