Best Airlines for Bathroom Breaks

The best airlines for clean bathrooms can be a tough call. Airline bathrooms can be scary places, especially as flights go out filled to the gills with little time to clean up between take-offs. And while one can feasibly argue the levels of luxuries bathrooms herald in the premium classes of international carriers, on those domestic economy flights, the discussion of best airlines for bathrooms yields more to number of bathrooms per seats than any question about cleanliness or unexpected extras. 

And to that end, a recent poll by UponArriving dug in and did the dirty work to determine which airlines and which aircraft offer the best passenger-per-restroom ratio for major U.S. airlines. To that point, the study found JetBlue came out on top, outperforming other airlines on some of their fleet models, such as the Airbus A321Neo and Airbus A321 Classic where economy passengers find a generous three to four bathrooms at their disposal in the economy cabins. 

In overall numbers, the research showed the average aircraft had a ratio of one bathroom for every 60 passengers. Looking at aircraft types it found that the five best aircraft ratios offered one bathroom for every 36 to 49 seats while the five worst aircraft ratios had one bathroom for every 77 to 83 seats.

Best Airlines for Bathroom Breaks: U.S. Carriers

1. JetBlue

2. Alaska

3. Allegiant

4. United     

5. Delta

6. American

7. Spirit

8. Frontier

9. Southwest

As for out-the-door aircraft models and bathrooms per seat ratios, the Boeing 737-800 offers 49, the Boeing 737-900 offers 54 as does the Boeing 737-900ER and Boeing 737 MAX 9. The Boeing 737-700 offers 56, the Airbus A321neo brings 58 and the Embraer 175 brings a 64 seat per bathroom ratio. 

The study may be a worrisome eye-opener for travelers with overactive bladders, as some 30% of men and 40% of women in the US admit this to be a problem. The study did note that for many of the shorter routes flown by U.S. airlines a stiff passenger per restroom ratio may not be problematic. 

Best Airline Bathrooms for the Long Haul

For best airline bathroom picks on international long-hauls, One Mile at a Time recommends flying these air carriers and sitting in the front of the plane: 

Emirates A380: First Class offers a spacious shower/spa commode. 

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites: Find a spacious bathroom and vanity in elegant and smart designs and offering myriad amenity extras. 

Qatar Airways A380 First Class: There are two commodious and calming restrooms decked in flowers and mood lighting. 

All Nippon Airways 777 First Class: These lavatories may bring the only bidets in the skies. Also, the floor comes with a special plank to step on should passengers not want feet to touch the floor. Cleanliness is impressive, attendants keep an eye out and wipe the room down after every use. 

Lufthansa 747-8 First Class: These come with a window and although they do not open, it is still a nice touch and makes the compartment bright and seem more spacious.