|
Lavatories in ticketed cabin
Help me out, FlyerTalk Experts. Most of my AA long and short haul flights have the announcement, “The FAA requires that you may only use the lavatory in your ticketed cabin.” The last time I departed Shanghai, the pilot even made a lengthy and rather strict announcement. I’ve never had a problem with the rule, even if it might be made up.
Fast forward to to last week when I am on a flight to Phoenix (AA mainline). After the breakfast service (where the FA appeared to keep all the warm breakfast items for himself and his coworkers; another long story), the lead FA made the announcement, “I’ve finished my first class service, so anyone can use the first class lavatory if you want to. Just don’t stand by the first class seats, okay?” My first reaction was a three letter acronym starting with “W” and “T.” For the remaining 2.5 hours of the flight, there was an endless parade of coach passengers running through the first class cabin. So, apart from the lousy FA, what are the true FAA rules regarding lavatories and ticketed class, if any? Google did not give me much help. Thanks all. |
I presume that your warm breakfast item flight was domestic. In that case, there is no rule. The FAA simply requires each carrier to have a safety & security policy which it then files with the FAA and the failure to enforce that policy becomes a violation. AA does not require cabin separation on domestic.
On international arrivals into the US, DHS has a rule prohibiting passenger movement between cabins, not just lavs and not just F/J. While that rule may be routinely disregarded, that is the rule. |
This has come up many times during my years on this Forum. In my opinion, DL has the best 1st Class Bathroom police. On AA, when you pay for domestic 1st class you should only expect a bigger seat. Anything else is gravy. It's really a mixed bag. I've seen strict enforcement on some AA trans-Continental flights and little or none on others. When it is enforced, the lead attendant seems to be the Police Chief. Based on history, I expect 500 replies to this topic :D:D
|
Old news item:
American Airlines Opens First-Class Bathrooms to Coach Passengers *** Beginning Thursday, coach passengers can use the front lavatory on American once again after the airline restricted its use to first-class fliers. The change applies to domestic flights and to international flights leaving the U.S., said American spokesman John Hotard. Under a rule added following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, only first-class passengers could use that section's lavatory on flights en route to the United States. American decided to apply the rule to all flights, Hotard said. The airline was the only carrier with such a rule on all flights, so it opted to change the policy, Hotard said. *** |
Thanks for the facts! I hope the topic closes off and doesn’t turn into a 400 reply rant.
|
I'll just add that conscientious flight attendants ask coach passengers who are waiting to use the front lavatory to line up behind the curtain separating F from Y.
|
Originally Posted by TWA884
(Post 28862557)
I'll just add that conscientious flight attendants ask coach passengers who are waiting to use the front lavatory to line up behind the curtain separating F from Y.
"Please wait behind the curtain until the lav is available." Plus, there really shouldn't be a line at the front of the aircraft. It's a safety risk and impedes the lead FA from doing their service. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 1:52 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.