If economy class lavatories are too busy or filthy, can you use business class lavatories?

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This is a very interesting question!

Now, your grandmother was in Economy Class, so had no right to visit the Business toilets, if not said otherwise. (I doubt there are any regulations that the situation changes if there are unusually long queues).

In this situation, she should ask. I don't understand if she asked or was "caught" sneaking into the bathroom (I presume the latter). Sometimes people asked, stick to the rules, sometimes they make an exception (it may or may not be allowed for them to make an exception) escpecially if your grandmother looks old and/or unfit. However, they tend to be more unfriendly if you just go there without asking.

Edit: In the comments, jpatokal suggests that the grandmother should inform the cabin crew that the bathrooms need to be cleaned. This is also a good solution (in addition or instead of asking).

Upvote:0

If you purchase an economy ticket, you have the right to access the economy lavatories when it is safe to do so (i.e. when the seatbelt sign is off).

However, you must purchase a business/first class/etc. ticket in order to have full access to their respective lavatories. And of course, this comes with a price.

In the event of an emergency (related to needing the washroom, not the plane), there may be allowances for certain passengers to use the business/first class lavatories if you request for it and the other lavatories are not busy. Most flight attendants should understand. However, if you are constantly asking this, or there is no obvious need for your request, they will most likely decline. After all, they are not required by any means to comply with your request.

If the lavatory is dirty, it is not their job to clean it. If the lavatory does not have enough supplies (e.g. soap, paper towels), they should provide/restock upon request.

All in all, try not to bug flight attendants about lavatory usage, especially when they are busy. If it is truly a problem, remember, they are doing you a favor if they let you use other facilities, and they are not obliged to do so.

Upvote:2

Sometimes, but it'll depend on the airlines.

For example on Qantas domestic flights, 737s have 2 toilets at the rear for economy and 1 at the front for business class. It's announced this way.

However, every flight you observe at least a couple of passengers from economy using the front ones. Sometimes the crew will just ignore it, but it depends on the rule and probably (although I don't know) on the passenger and how they're doing it, to some extent. Asking first probably wouldn't go amiss.

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