Major changes coming to make airplane bathrooms more accessible

“This rule-making requires airlines to make lavatories on new single-aisle aircraft large enough to permit a passenger with a disability and an attendant,” DOT said in its summary of the new guidelines. The bathroom must be big enough for both people to “approach, enter and maneuver within as necessary.”

Double-aisle planes were already required to be accessible, but those planes are more common for international flights. The number of flights that last four or more hours in a single aircraft has significantly increased, according to the DOT. 

The department noted that flights in a single-aisle aircraft between 1,500 and 3,000 miles jumped from less than 40% of all flights in 1991 to 86% in 2021. Airlines will have to trade that last row of seats for more bathroom space.

“Traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about being able to access a restroom; yet today, millions of wheelchair users are forced to choose between dehydrating themselves before boarding a plane or avoiding air travel altogether,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “We are proud to announce this rule that will make airplane bathrooms larger and more accessible, ensuring travelers in wheelchairs are afforded the same access and dignity as the rest of the traveling public.” 

The new ruling will not only make the lavatories bigger but also require them to have more accessible faucets, call buttons, door locks and other controls. The lavatories must also be fitted with grab bars and have minimum obstructions for an onboard wheelchair to pass, toe clearance and a barrier for privacy.

Some of the bathroom changes, such as the grab bars and accessible call buttons, will be required on new aircraft by 2026, while the expanded lavatories will not be required on new aircraft until 2033.