Why is the toilet on the plane getting smaller?

Vacuum space is not the only space narrowed on the plane. Toilets are also becoming smaller.

When airlines dropped out of old aircraft (like Boeing 747) and ordered new models, some firms reduced the size of the toilet to accommodate more seats. In 2015, Boeing reduced toilet space on model 777 to add 14 seats. That means the airline will have 14 more passengers per flight.

Companies like Delta, United and Alka (USA) admit their new planes often have smaller toilets and are often redesigned. However, their area depends on the location and model of the aircraft.

Toilets on Boeing 737, 757, 777 and Airbus A320 have a length, width and height of several centimeters. Hand sinks are also smaller. Twenty years ago, domestic flights had about 149 seats each. Today, the average number of seats is 154. More seats mean less toilet space.

Some firms reduce toilet area to increase seating capacity.(Photo: Gettyimages).

This is not only inconvenient but also makes it difficult for handicapped passengers, injured, have small children or obese. Some flight crew members said the location, area and openings of toilets could cause passengers to help out in an emergency.

Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights, a consumer protection group, said: "Airlines are free to limit unlimited toilet sizes, because there are no specific rules or measures to prevent this."

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has no regulations on single-board toilets, but two-way aircraft are required to have at least one disabled toilet to use. However, the position or bar design has no standards.

Boeing designed the appropriate toilets, but the companies did not want to use them. Douglas Kidd of the American National Airline Passenger Association said : "Unfortunately, firms seem to be putting the number of visitors, not comfort, on top."

However, not every company narrowed the area of ​​toilets, especially international firms. Norwegian Airlines' Boeing 787-9 has a toilet with double doors, a diaper changing table, and wheelchair users can use a portable toilet. British Airways spokesman said: "The largest toilet in our fleet is on the Airbus A380". This is good news when passengers are feeling constrained.