Frequent Fliers Will Want To Know About This New Airplane Bathroom Rule

Cramped, awkward, and downright tiny — airplane bathrooms have long been the butt of jokes. You may have even tried this TikTok hack to reduce bathroom trips on flights. But frequent fliers can rejoice, as a new rule is on the way that promises to make your in-flight experience a little more comfortable. Bigger bathrooms are coming to a single-aisle aircraft near you thanks to a ruling by the Department of Transportation (DOT). 

Single-aisle airplanes are increasingly flying longer routes. A trip from Dallas to Oslo, Norway, or Santiago, Chile, is possible on new long-range, narrow-body aircrafts. But the lavatories are notoriously small on these kinds of planes — often just 24 inches wide — and on longer routes, using the bathroom is unavoidable. These little bathrooms create big issues, particularly for passengers with a disability, as they may require more room.

The DOT ruling states that new airplane bathrooms will be "large enough to permit a passenger with a disability and attendant, both equivalent in size to a 95th percentile male, to approach, enter, and maneuver." The rule will also benefit larger passengers, those flying with a baby or young child, and anyone who's ever felt a bit claustrophobic in an airplane bathroom.

Don't expect to see these changes overnight — it'll be about another decade before aircraft with larger lavatories hit the skies. The ruling only applies to new airplanes; older planes are not required to be retrofitted with larger bathrooms. Other accessibility features are arriving sooner. By 2026, new airplanes will have grab rails, accessible faucets, call buttons and door locks, for example. But again, no retrofitting of older aircraft is mandated.

U.S. law requires that wide-body planes, which tend to have two aisles, have an accessible bathroom. Certain narrow-body planes also have accessible bathrooms, though as they're not required by law, there's no guarantee. According to WheelchairTravel.org, airlines are required to answer your questions about accessible bathrooms, so call or email to ask. In the meantime, if you or a loved one needs help, check out how to request wheelchair assistance at the airport.