How to Avoid Using the Airplane Bathroom

Let’s be honest: airplane bathrooms are... rough.

Tiny. Turbulent. Questionable smells. A faucet with the water pressure of a leaky straw. And don’t even get us started on the line that forms right after the drink cart.

If you’ve ever held your pee mid-flight just to avoid that claustrophobic germ cave, you’re far from alone. But when your bladder starts sending those "Hey, we have a problem here..." signals at 30,000 feet, you’re stuck between two very unpleasant options: brave the bathroom or suffer in silence.

Here’s how to plan ahead, manage the discomfort, and (yes) avoid the airplane bathroom as much as possible.

WHY THE BATHROOM SITUATION FEELS SO BAD

1. They're Tiny—and Not Built for Comfort

Most airplane lavatories have about 3 square feet of floor space, making them smaller than a phone booth. That's barely enough room to turn around, let alone comfortably relieve yourself. There’s no real airflow, no soundproofing, and zero room to move about without bumping into something that was just used by a stranger. Needless to say, this makes for an awkward and unpleasant experience!

2. Turbulence + Toilets = Disaster

Taking aim while the floor is shifting beneath you is an Olympic-level balancing act you didn’t sign up for. Now imagine dozens of passengers doing that over the course of a long flight. Yeah, needless to say, there's a lot of accidental spillage, splashback, and plain old “misses.” 

3. High Volume, Low Maintenance

Airplane bathrooms see a lot of use. A full plane might have just four toilets for 200 people (of course the ratio is better in first class!). On a long-haul flight, that adds up to some pretty heavy usage quickly—especially with all the drinks – many of them alcoholic – that the flight attendants serve.

Now imagine trying to keep that bathroom clean. While flight attendants are supposed to regularly check lavatories to ensure they are stocked and tidy, more thorough cleaning, including any type of disinfecting, is typically done on the ground by ground crews when the plane is turned around between trips. 

4. People Forget Their Manners

Hate to say it, but people don’t always clean up after themselves. They leave paper towels in the sink basin and urine on the toilet seat and floor. Some people even forget to flush! Throw kids and air sickness into the mix and it’s a disaster in the making.

5. They Smell

Although airplane lavatories receive a constant supply of fresh air, it seems it’s never enough to eliminate odors. All things considered, this really shouldn’t come as a big surprise but, if we can send people into space, shouldn’t there be a way to fix it?

6. Admit It, It’s Embarrassing

When in life are 100 or more strangers all aware that you’re going to use the bathroom? Basically never. Except of course when you’re on a plane. Don’t kid yourself, everyone you pass on the plane sees you walk down the aisle and know exactly where you’re going and what you’re going to do. After all, there is absolutely nowhere else you could be going!

And, to top it off, using the bathroom can seem very public. Every flush sounds like a jet engine during take-off – and you know it’s heard by every single on the people waiting in line right outside the door.

It’s pressure. It’s awkward. And it’s just… gross.

HOW TO AVOID USING THE AIRPLANE BATHROOM (WITHOUT SUFFERING)

1. Strategize Your Hydration

Start hydrating early in the day before your flight, then ease up 1–2 hours beforehand. Sip steadily—not gulping—during the flight to stay hydrated without overloading your bladder.

2. Use the Bathroom in the Terminal

Even if you don’t feel the urge, use the restroom before boarding. This is your last shot at a real toilet for hours.

3. Limit Diuretics

Caffeine and alcohol are big-time bladder stimulants. So skip the cup of airport coffee or in-flight wine if you’re trying to minimize the urge to go.

4. Bring a Travel Urinal

This is the real MVP move—especially if you’re on a long-haul or red-eye flight. Our compact, leakproof urinals are the perfect travel companion when you want to avoid dirty surfaces in an airplane’s lav. Although you can’t avoid the bathroom altogether, a portable urinal allows you to avoid getting too close to the nasty toilet itself. No sitting or squatting. Just relief…empty…and flush. Our urinals are clean, convenient, and TSA-compliant in your carry-on (as long as they’re empty!). At just $40 each, we offer options for men and women—perfect for travel emergencies and peace of mind at cruising altitude.

5. Choose Your Seat Wisely

Aisle seats make it easier to slip out for a bathroom break.

6. Watch Out for Food and Beverage Service

Be careful about waiting too long to make your way to the toilet and then having your trip thwarted by the food and beverage cart. Getting stuck behind the cart can create unnecessary in-flight stress – if not an outright accident!

7. Pack Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer

If you absolutely must use the lavatory, having sanitizing wipes makes the experience a bit better. At least you can return to your seat feeling like what happened in the bathroom stayed in the bathroom. 

EXTRA PRO TIPS FOR LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS

• Avoid salty snacks that make you drink more.
• Set a hydration timer if you tend to forget to sip slowly.
• Bring an extra pair of underwear (just in case—you’ll thank yourself).

BOTTOM LINE

Avoiding the airplane bathroom isn’t just about comfort—it’s about peace of mind. When you’re prepared, you can fly with less worry and avoid that frantic dash down the aisle mid-flight.

So, next time you board, do your future self a favor: plan ahead, pack smart, and consider bringing a portable urinal along in your carry-on. Because let’s be honest: some places just weren’t meant to have bathrooms.