Can Economy Passengers Use First Class Lavatory?

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?

Rules around using first class bathrooms

Airlines go great lengths to configure their cabins efficiently, and to cram in as many seats as possible. For your average domestic narrow body aircraft, you might just have one lavatory at the front of the plane, and two (or so) lavatories at the back of the plane.

So if you’re traveling in economy, is it appropriate to use the first class lavatory? After all, it might be the closest one to you, and it’s possible that there’s not a line to use it, while there may be a line to use the lavatories at the back of the cabin.

For domestic flights, the answer is that you are typically allowed to use any lavatory on the aircraft, though the exact policy varies by airline. Here’s my understanding of the rules, and someone correct me if I get anything wrong:

• American and United allow passengers to use the lavatory in first class, no questions asked
• Alaska states that “guests should use the restroom in their assigned cabins, and are required to do so on inbound international flights”
• Delta states that “while customers should use the lavatory in their cabin of service, our crew leverages situational flexibility to support special accommodations as needed”

As you can see, at worst you’re told that you “should” use the lavatory in your cabin, but not that it’s required.

Note that the above is specific to domestic flights within the United States. On international flights bound for the United States, the consistent rule is that you’re required to use the lavatory in the cabin in which you’re seated. That’s not just an airline policy, but a government policy (along with not congregating in the galleys). In my experience it’s consistently enforced, at least to the extent that the crew is paying attention.

Also keep in mind that you have to follow flight attendant instructions, so if they tell you not to use the forward lavatory, you have to listen to them (it could be because the pilots need a bathroom break, etc.).

What should the policy around lavatory use be?

It’s worth noting that while airlines in the United States mostly let you use lavatories in any cabin, a vast majority of foreign airlines require you to use the lavatory in your cabin, with no exceptions.

Heck, I’d say when flying on a top global airline, having access to a (typically) clean lavatory is a part of the value proposition of flying in a premium cabin. After all, a lavatory is likely to be a lot cleaner, given how many fewer people have access to it.

What should the policy be on US airlines? Well, I see both sides.

On the one hand, it’s kind of annoying when you pay extra for first class, and then for the entire flight there’s a steady stream of people standing in the aisle waiting for the forward lavatory. At times, it can even be tough to use the lavatory when you’re in first class, since you basically have to just stand up at your seat to indicate to those coming up from economy that you’re waiting as well.

On the other hand, this is sort of a problem created by airlines. US airlines often simply don’t have enough lavatories in economy to accommodate the amount of “demand,” as you’ll often have two lavatories for around 150 passengers. There’s almost always a line in the back of the aircraft of people waiting for the lavatory, so I can’t blame people for not wanting to wait for extended periods of time.

Furthermore, during service, the aisle is often blocked with a cart, so it’s not like there’s even an easy way to get to the back.

Bottom line

Generally when flying on US airlines on domestic flights, you’re allowed to use the first class lavatory when flying in economy. There is some discretion here, especially on Alaska and Delta, which recommend — but don’t require — that you use the lavatory in your cabin.

Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using the lavatory closest to you, assuming it’s within the carrier’s rules. However, it’s just yet another thing that makes the experience of flying in a premium cabin on a US carrier different than flying in a premium cabin on a foreign carrier.

What’s your take on using the first class lavatory when traveling in economy?