Bruno Pugh
Airplane bathrooms can feel like a mystery box of unspoken rules, and what seems harmless to one traveler might secretly frustrate the crew. Between tight spaces and high-altitude quirks, small mistakes can cause big annoyance. In this eye-opening rundown, find out which behaviors leave crews sighing and passengers puzzled. Keep reading to see if youâre guilty mid-flight.
Hovering Instead Of Sitting
We get it: no one wants to sit on a plane toilet. But hovering doesnât make things cleaner; it makes a splashy mess that someone else (usually the crew) has to deal with. Ironically, your attempt to stay germ-free just spreads more germs.
Locking The Door For Extended Periods
Turning the airplane bathroom into your personal spa isnât winning you any fans. While youâre perfecting your midair routine, the line outside is growing, and flight attendants are doing gymnastics to serve drinks around it. Time to wrap up that airborne âme time.â
Walking In Barefoot Or In Socks
If youâve ever walked into an airplane bathroom and thought, âOh, that floor looks fine,â youâre in for a rude awakening. That mysterious liquid is not water, and donât question it. Keep those shoes on unless you enjoy collecting bacteria as souvenirs.
Flushing Multiple Times Unnecessarily
Thereâs no prize for âMost Flushesâ on Flight 242, and hitting that button again and again doesnât make things cleaner. It just creates extra noise, puts stress on the aircraftâs plumbing, and wastes the limited water onboard. One confident flush does the job perfectly; trust the system.
Changing Clothes
Unless youâre training for Cirque du Soleil, changing clothes in an airplane bathroom is a bad idea. Youâll twist and drop half your outfit on the floor while the rest of the cabin wonders whatâs taking so long. Itâs better to save the costume change for landing.
Using The Sink As A Foot Bath
Yes, it really happensâsome travelers actually treat the airplane sink like a personal foot spa. But that tiny basinâs meant for hands, not heels. The result is usually a gross mess that makes the crew silently question life choices. Simply put, feet and faucets should never mingle mid-flight.
Leaving Used Paper Towels On The Counter
It takes exactly one second to toss your paper towel in the trash. Instead, some people decorate the counter like itâs modern art. Flight attendants clean it up, again and again, while wondering how adults can forget the basics like this.
Spraying Excessive Perfume Or Cologne
For flight crews, the aftermath of a perfume-happy passenger is unmistakable. The lingering scent hangs heavy in the cramped lavatory, irritating sensitive travelers and triggering headaches mid-shift. A quick refresh may feel harmless, but in recycled air, less truly is more.
Not Locking The Door Properly
Few travel moments top the awkwardness of meeting someoneâs eyes mid-bathroom break. Forget to lock that flimsy lavatory door, and youâve just created an in-flight horror scene. One simple click saves you (and them) from a story neither wants to tell later.
Flushing Non-Toilet Items
The toilet may look capable of swallowing anything, but itâs far more delicate than it sounds. Tossing wipes, diapers, or mystery items into that blue abyss clogs the works fast. Remember: plane toilets arenât magic; theyâre just efficient when used correctly.