The Department of Transportation recently announced a new regulation requiring airplane bathrooms on single-aisle passenger aircraft to be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. I'm surprised...
The Department of Transportation recently announced a new regulation requiring airplane bathrooms on single-aisle passenger aircraft to be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. I'm surprised this was not already legally mandated. It's also kind of amazing that they managed to write a 57-page document for something seemingly so straightforward, but I suppose there are always loopholes to close. The rule will be effective 60 days after its publication in the federal register (presumably today; so presumably it will be effective late September).
A similar has been in place for multi-aisle aircraft (such as a Boeing 747) for decades. However, single-aisle aircraft (such as a Boeing 737) were formerly not subject to such a rule. Background information on the rule states that the increasing popularity of single-aisle aircraft in long-haul flights (from 40% to 86% in the last 30 years) makes the need for universal accessibility that much greater. The document describes the urgency of this change in depth:
The inability to safely access and use the lavatory on long flights can impact the dignity of passengers with disabilities and deter them from traveling by air, limiting their independence and freedom to travel. This final rule addresses a human rights issue and promotes freedom to travel for people with disabilities. It is an unfortunate reality that today, many air travelers with disabilities, knowing that they will not be able to use the lavatory during a flight, may dehydrate themselves or even withhold bodily functions so that they do not need to urinate. These actions can cause adverse health effects, including increased chances of urinary tract infections. Other passengers may use adult diapers or catheters, which they may find degrading and uncomfortable. Some wheelchair users avoid flying altogether.
It continues that "the private marketplace has not met this basic need for accessible lavatories." Accessibility is not profitable for airlines, who would rather sell an extra three tickets than provide transportation to wheelchair users who need it. That's the American way: profit over people.
Uncomfortable as these descriptions may be, I feel that it's important for us to proactively consider the lived experiences of everyone in our transportation system — especially people in wheelchairs, who are more reliant than able-bodied people on environmental design considerations. This isn't just a "nice to have," it's an actual health and safety concern. I also agree with the description above that it's a human rights issue. Philosophically, people need access. Wheelchair users deserve the same amenities as able-bodied people in our cities and on all forms of transportation. The rule description also notes that, while the intent is to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, the change will benefit "passengers of size" who struggle to fit in normal aircraft restrooms as well as families with small children.
The rule is actually a series of provisions, which you can read on page 6. The provisions seem to mostly apply about three years after the rule as a whole becomes effective. That is, it becomes truly effective around September 2026.
I'm glad that we have an administration who cares about these issues. The press release talks about some related work the Biden administration is doing to improve accessibility in the transportation system:
DOT has awarded billions of dollars through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize airport terminals, including adding wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, and more.
Last December, DOT awarded nearly $700 million through its All Stations Accessibility Program to retrofit old rail and subway stations, adding elevators, ramps, and other improvements. The program, funded through the infrastructure law, is designed to improve the accessibility of transit rail stations so everyone, including people who use wheelchairs, push strollers, or cannot easily navigate stairs, can reliably access the rail systems in their communities.
DOT has begun laying the preliminary groundwork for a potential future rule that would address passengers staying in their own wheelchairs when they fly.
DOT is currently working on rules that would require better training for airline staff who physically assist passengers with disabilities or handle battery-powered wheelchairs or scooters.
Airplane bathrooms are absolutely horrible. Even if you aren't using a wheelchair, there's not even enough room in some of them to be able to move your elbows, so good luck wiping yourself after...
Airplane bathrooms are absolutely horrible. Even if you aren't using a wheelchair, there's not even enough room in some of them to be able to move your elbows, so good luck wiping yourself after you're done! I'm glad that they're finally doing something about this, but it's crazy that they didn't long ago.
Win for wheelchair users and win for non-wheelchair users assuming airplane manufacturers just make all lavatories wheelchair accessible. I'm not usually claustrophobic in small spaces but...
Win for wheelchair users and win for non-wheelchair users assuming airplane manufacturers just make all lavatories wheelchair accessible. I'm not usually claustrophobic in small spaces but airplane bathrooms are another level of small for me.
Agreed, but my fear (as somebody who wears a 36" [~91cm] pant inseam) is that they'll just take 5cm away from the already insufficient space in each row to make it happen rather than removing a...
Agreed, but my fear (as somebody who wears a 36" [~91cm] pant inseam) is that they'll just take 5cm away from the already insufficient space in each row to make it happen rather than removing a few seats.
I’m guessing they are only going to make the front, first class lavatory the larger one. Only wheelchair users and first class passengers will be able to use the luxury bathroom. They could...
I’m guessing they are only going to make the front, first class lavatory the larger one. Only wheelchair users and first class passengers will be able to use the luxury bathroom. They could probably just make first class seats have slightly less leg room, or eliminate half a first class row and increase ticket prices.
Yeah this is more likely, someone else mentioned that wheelchair users have special seats at the front of the plane so making the first-class bathroom accessible makes more sense.
Yeah this is more likely, someone else mentioned that wheelchair users have special seats at the front of the plane so making the first-class bathroom accessible makes more sense.
Oh I feel your pain. I'm just about 6' 1" (185cm I think?) and man my knees are usually just millimeters away from the seat in front of me in economy. I've seen those "concepts" from the airlines...
Oh I feel your pain. I'm just about 6' 1" (185cm I think?) and man my knees are usually just millimeters away from the seat in front of me in economy. I've seen those "concepts" from the airlines where they basically put people in double decker seating and I fear for the future. Maybe the solution for me is to just become richer and afford economy plus or business class. If only it were that easy.
I have to pull the personal item out from under the seat in front of me and try to jam my feet down that way. With a bit of twisting, I can get relief for one leg at a time; though I have to...
I have to pull the personal item out from under the seat in front of me and try to jam my feet down that way. With a bit of twisting, I can get relief for one leg at a time; though I have to jostle the damn backpack all over the place. I usually try for aisle seats so I can sneak some stretch time when people aren't moving about.
I have the exact opposite problem, I am short so my feet don't touch the ground which means circulation is cut off to my lower legs and feet. I also take the aisle seat so I can periodically...
I have the exact opposite problem, I am short so my feet don't touch the ground which means circulation is cut off to my lower legs and feet. I also take the aisle seat so I can periodically stand. The airlines could easily fix this problem by having a foot rest that could be pulled either up from the seat I'm sitting in or down from the seat in front.
Can you even fit a wheelchair down the aisle? I don't think I've seen it done. I'm 100% for accessibility, just not sure how fitting a wheelchair into the lavatory is going to matter if you can't...
Can you even fit a wheelchair down the aisle? I don't think I've seen it done. I'm 100% for accessibility, just not sure how fitting a wheelchair into the lavatory is going to matter if you can't maneuver the wheelchair to the lavatory in the first place.
My understanding is that wheelchair users have special designated seats near the front of many/most airplanes so that they don't have to travel too far down the aisles. Many/most airports also...
My understanding is that wheelchair users have special designated seats near the front of many/most airplanes so that they don't have to travel too far down the aisles. Many/most airports also give wheelchair users different wheelchairs than their personal ones to make boarding easier and presumably to fit down the narrow aisles. The wheelchair on the plane is called the "on-board wheelchair" (OBW) and is what is referred to in provision 2 on page 6 of the rule document. The article implies that the DOT is looking into future regulations that will allow wheelchair users to use their own chairs on planes (though the wording is ambiguous).
The regulation does directly state that the "OBW must facilitate safe transfer to and from the aircraft seat" (page 6) in addition to various specific requirements for lavatory access. A note on page 9 states that the OBW must "permit passage in the aircraft aisle," among other things.
They have really small, crappy and unsafe wheelchairs that you transfer to, which you can't roll yourself so someone has to push you to your seat. Flying as a disabled person is quite tiring and...
They have really small, crappy and unsafe wheelchairs that you transfer to, which you can't roll yourself so someone has to push you to your seat. Flying as a disabled person is quite tiring and awkward. Imagine being very paralyzed (like no sensation or movement to your neck, barely or zero arm strength) and having to sit on a wheelchair like this. Not to mention the stress that comes with your own wheelchair being mishandled or lost, which happens often. And then knowing that you can't go to the bathroom at all. I have actually emptied my bladder on my own seat once or twice because I had to. It's all ugly in many ways.
It’s distressing that airlines force you and other wheelchair users to undergo that kind of treatment. It’s inhumane. I did recently read an article about a new seat deisgn that would supposedly...
It’s distressing that airlines force you and other wheelchair users to undergo that kind of treatment. It’s inhumane.
I did recently read an article about a new seat deisgn that would supposedly let passengers “remain in their own wheelchairs for the duration of their flight.” It looks legit, and it doesn’t seem like it would take away an entire row of seating or anything (the row near the bulkhead/emergency exits, where this would probably be stationed, is roomy to begin with).
Still, I find it hard to believe that airlines would implement something like this without being forced to by the government. Some of them might try, but it would be scattered and likely incomplete. Here’s to hoping the DOT comes out with new regulations soon for allowing disabled passengers to stay in their own wheelchair for the whole flight.
Unfortunately it's something deeply ingrained within society, because this really translates into many another things. Some of it is lack of awareness and some of it is just carelessness....
Unfortunately it's something deeply ingrained within society, because this really translates into many another things. Some of it is lack of awareness and some of it is just carelessness. Architecture that is blind to the disabled is everywhere. Some people in other countries do have it better though. But even then, there are many obstacles people with disabilities face simply because people were unaware or careless. Happy disability pride month, btw!
The Department of Transportation recently announced a new regulation requiring airplane bathrooms on single-aisle passenger aircraft to be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. I'm surprised this was not already legally mandated. It's also kind of amazing that they managed to write a 57-page document for something seemingly so straightforward, but I suppose there are always loopholes to close. The rule will be effective 60 days after its publication in the federal register (presumably today; so presumably it will be effective late September).
A similar has been in place for multi-aisle aircraft (such as a Boeing 747) for decades. However, single-aisle aircraft (such as a Boeing 737) were formerly not subject to such a rule. Background information on the rule states that the increasing popularity of single-aisle aircraft in long-haul flights (from 40% to 86% in the last 30 years) makes the need for universal accessibility that much greater. The document describes the urgency of this change in depth:
It continues that "the private marketplace has not met this basic need for accessible lavatories." Accessibility is not profitable for airlines, who would rather sell an extra three tickets than provide transportation to wheelchair users who need it. That's the American way: profit over people.
Uncomfortable as these descriptions may be, I feel that it's important for us to proactively consider the lived experiences of everyone in our transportation system — especially people in wheelchairs, who are more reliant than able-bodied people on environmental design considerations. This isn't just a "nice to have," it's an actual health and safety concern. I also agree with the description above that it's a human rights issue. Philosophically, people need access. Wheelchair users deserve the same amenities as able-bodied people in our cities and on all forms of transportation. The rule description also notes that, while the intent is to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, the change will benefit "passengers of size" who struggle to fit in normal aircraft restrooms as well as families with small children.
The rule is actually a series of provisions, which you can read on page 6. The provisions seem to mostly apply about three years after the rule as a whole becomes effective. That is, it becomes truly effective around September 2026.
I'm glad that we have an administration who cares about these issues. The press release talks about some related work the Biden administration is doing to improve accessibility in the transportation system:
Airplane bathrooms are absolutely horrible. Even if you aren't using a wheelchair, there's not even enough room in some of them to be able to move your elbows, so good luck wiping yourself after you're done! I'm glad that they're finally doing something about this, but it's crazy that they didn't long ago.
Win for wheelchair users and win for non-wheelchair users assuming airplane manufacturers just make all lavatories wheelchair accessible. I'm not usually claustrophobic in small spaces but airplane bathrooms are another level of small for me.
Agreed, but my fear (as somebody who wears a 36" [~91cm] pant inseam) is that they'll just take 5cm away from the already insufficient space in each row to make it happen rather than removing a few seats.
I’m guessing they are only going to make the front, first class lavatory the larger one. Only wheelchair users and first class passengers will be able to use the luxury bathroom. They could probably just make first class seats have slightly less leg room, or eliminate half a first class row and increase ticket prices.
Yeah this is more likely, someone else mentioned that wheelchair users have special seats at the front of the plane so making the first-class bathroom accessible makes more sense.
Oh I feel your pain. I'm just about 6' 1" (185cm I think?) and man my knees are usually just millimeters away from the seat in front of me in economy. I've seen those "concepts" from the airlines where they basically put people in double decker seating and I fear for the future. Maybe the solution for me is to just become richer and afford economy plus or business class. If only it were that easy.
I'm also 6'1" - but I think I lucked out. More of my height's in my torso so I feel perfectly fine with economy seating.
I have to pull the personal item out from under the seat in front of me and try to jam my feet down that way. With a bit of twisting, I can get relief for one leg at a time; though I have to jostle the damn backpack all over the place. I usually try for aisle seats so I can sneak some stretch time when people aren't moving about.
Same here, aisle seats are my go-to seats now, just sucks I can't enjoy the window seat views as much anymore.
I have the exact opposite problem, I am short so my feet don't touch the ground which means circulation is cut off to my lower legs and feet. I also take the aisle seat so I can periodically stand. The airlines could easily fix this problem by having a foot rest that could be pulled either up from the seat I'm sitting in or down from the seat in front.
In the meantime, you could pull your under seat bag out and put your feet on that. Just need to kick it back in when people in your aisle need out.
Can you even fit a wheelchair down the aisle? I don't think I've seen it done. I'm 100% for accessibility, just not sure how fitting a wheelchair into the lavatory is going to matter if you can't maneuver the wheelchair to the lavatory in the first place.
My understanding is that wheelchair users have special designated seats near the front of many/most airplanes so that they don't have to travel too far down the aisles. Many/most airports also give wheelchair users different wheelchairs than their personal ones to make boarding easier and presumably to fit down the narrow aisles. The wheelchair on the plane is called the "on-board wheelchair" (OBW) and is what is referred to in provision 2 on page 6 of the rule document. The article implies that the DOT is looking into future regulations that will allow wheelchair users to use their own chairs on planes (though the wording is ambiguous).
The regulation does directly state that the "OBW must facilitate safe transfer to and from the aircraft seat" (page 6) in addition to various specific requirements for lavatory access. A note on page 9 states that the OBW must "permit passage in the aircraft aisle," among other things.
They have really small, crappy and unsafe wheelchairs that you transfer to, which you can't roll yourself so someone has to push you to your seat. Flying as a disabled person is quite tiring and awkward. Imagine being very paralyzed (like no sensation or movement to your neck, barely or zero arm strength) and having to sit on a wheelchair like this. Not to mention the stress that comes with your own wheelchair being mishandled or lost, which happens often. And then knowing that you can't go to the bathroom at all. I have actually emptied my bladder on my own seat once or twice because I had to. It's all ugly in many ways.
It’s distressing that airlines force you and other wheelchair users to undergo that kind of treatment. It’s inhumane.
I did recently read an article about a new seat deisgn that would supposedly let passengers “remain in their own wheelchairs for the duration of their flight.” It looks legit, and it doesn’t seem like it would take away an entire row of seating or anything (the row near the bulkhead/emergency exits, where this would probably be stationed, is roomy to begin with).
Still, I find it hard to believe that airlines would implement something like this without being forced to by the government. Some of them might try, but it would be scattered and likely incomplete. Here’s to hoping the DOT comes out with new regulations soon for allowing disabled passengers to stay in their own wheelchair for the whole flight.
Unfortunately it's something deeply ingrained within society, because this really translates into many another things. Some of it is lack of awareness and some of it is just carelessness. Architecture that is blind to the disabled is everywhere. Some people in other countries do have it better though. But even then, there are many obstacles people with disabilities face simply because people were unaware or careless. Happy disability pride month, btw!