When you’re on a plane, the last thing you want is to find a long line outside the restroom or face situations where it’s not convenient to go, like when the seat belt sign is on. So, when is the best time to use the restroom during a flight? Let’s hear what flight attendants have to say.
According to a report by the American magazine “Travel + Leisure,” a flight attendant named Sarah B. at a major airline, who preferred not to disclose her last name, shared the two best times to use the restroom on a plane.
Sarah said, “The best time to use the restroom is after we finish the first meal service (when flight attendants collect meal trays) or before the descent announcement.”
This is because when the captain announces preparations for landing, passengers tend to rush to use the restroom. And right after a meal service, passengers also tend to head to the restroom, risking getting blocked by the meal cart and finding it hard to return to their seats.
For long-haul flights, the second meal service usually occurs 60 to 90 minutes before landing. If you wait until then, you might encounter long queues, or even find yourself unable to finish using the restroom before the seat belt sign lights up in preparation for landing.
Therefore, Sarah suggests that passengers should use the restroom immediately after their first meal trays are collected by the flight attendants. At that time, most passengers are still adjusting to the new environment, watching movies, or getting ready to sleep.
This aligns with the typical rhythm of long-haul flights – first meal service, interval, second meal service, descent, and landing. During that interval, the cabin lights dim, the environment becomes quiet and relatively stable, making it the optimal time to use the restroom.
Most passengers during this period are focused on their screens or asleep, meaning there’s less chance of bumping into someone’s elbow while walking down the aisle.
Travel expert Rani Cheema frequently takes long-haul flights. She shared her tips on managing restroom breaks during flights.
She mentioned that before boarding, she tries to use the restroom as much as possible to reduce the need to use it after boarding. She also regulates her water intake to ensure this strategy works.
“I don’t drink a lot of liquids before the flight. I consume more fluids during the flight. This way, when I board the plane, I don’t have to deal with restroom problems,” she said.
She noted that she usually uses the restroom when most people are sleeping. As she mostly travels on long-haul flights, she found that the restroom queues diminish when people start sleeping.
Rani also pays attention to the restroom’s location. If a restroom is prominently placed, like in the front rows, she might avoid using it as many might head there. Instead, she prefers using restrooms located further back.
She emphasized that if a restroom is dirty or damaged, she doesn’t hesitate to inform the flight attendants. She stressed that she approaches them politely, sometimes even bringing snacks as a gesture, and found flight attendants are willing to assist.
It’s worth noting that, on average, each restroom in the economy cabin of an airplane serves 60 passengers. With such high usage rates, timing your restroom breaks properly becomes crucial.
In addition to knowing the best times to use the restroom, you might also want to avoid the worst times. So, when is the worst time to use the restroom?
A previous flight attendant told the UK’s “Daily Mirror” that “the worst times to use the restroom on a plane are before take-off and just before landing, especially on long-haul flights.” This is because these times see the highest number of restroom users, making them more likely to get dirty.
With an understanding of when to best utilize the restroom and when to avoid it, passengers can make their flying experience more comfortable and efficient.