using bathroom 1 hour before landing
 

a year ago I tried to use the bathroom while plane was beginning descent, still at high altitude but was prevented. If plane is at still 25-30,000 feet in the air, its not hitting runway anytime soon, why is this an issue?
Also, what if you really have to go? Now planes have limited restrooms so limited time to use it, also because of turbulence/safety belt on.

Descent usually starts around 30 minutes before landing, assuming it's more than short flight or on a regional jet. As far as seat belt lights and such, I generally ignore them if I have to use the bathroom, unless the plane is going through some tough chop.

was LOT polish airlines. Attendant even followed me back to my seat. <redacted by moderator>.

In the aftermath of 9/11 until it was suspended in July 2005, there was a TSA Security Directive that has required all passengers flying into and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to be seated for 30 minutes after departure or before arrival.

It's possible that the airport where you were arriving has a similar rule.

It is also possible that the Captain determined that there was either sufficient turbulence or risk of turbulence to provide for the safety of passengers by prohibiting their cabin movement.

Perhaps the Captain was unreasonable or made an error. Or perhaps he was doing his job. I'll stick with the latter.

Actually, that's from the past. No longer 30 minutes rule to/from DCA. They won't need it anymore.

Isn't only 30 minutes rule to/from Israeli airspace? Is that restrictions?

If I really need to go and someone stopped me from getting up to use the bathroom I would simply say it's the lav or the floor, their choice, pick one.

Close, the rule as it's always been explained on my flights to TLV is that it's you can't be up and about as long as the flight is in Israeli airspace. Whether that's actually heeded...is another matter.

That's correct! You must remain in the seated. You can not be off the seat. You could get trouble. You must follow the flight crew instructions. Listen to your flight attendants.

Yeah, I follow it, I've just seen wanton disregard for that on United's EWR-TLV flights. I swear the seat belt sign dings and the announcement goes and about a 15 or so people decide that one last bathroom run is critical!

Right! Make it quickly! All passengers must return to the seat. This is last bathroom before approach Israeli airspace.

Ha ha ha. Same observation.

On international flights, I do my last washroom trip at least 2 h before the plane lands. Then,’if necessary, I go to the airport washroom before heading to the baggage claim area.