Flight attendant explains when the worst time to go to the toilet is on a flight
Whether it's screaming children, overpriced peanuts or rowdy wedding parties - it's a known fact that airplanes are definitely not the most glamorous form of transportation out there.
Plane toilets also don't add any charm given the tight spaces, freakishly loud flushing sounds and the long queue that seemingly always forms in the middle lane of the cabin.
However, one flight attendant has offered plane travellers some nuggets of wisdom after revealing the worst time to make your way to the bog on board.
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They outlined the optimum times to walk down the aisle and make their way to the toilets when travelling on a long haul flight.
They also noted exactly when to avoid the loos at all costs.
And believe us, with the expert reasoning behind the travel hacks, you'll want to note this stuff down.
Speaking to bathroom specialists, Sanctuary Bathrooms, the cabin crew member who previously worked for a major airline, amalgamated all their experience on board and has cracked the code for toilet-etiquette on a plane.
The flight attendant explained: "The worst time to use the aeroplane loo is right before take-off and at the very end of a flight, especially if it's long-haul."
This is because these two times of the flight usually see the most use of the toilet facilities and therefore will end up being the most dirty.
Another time where the bathroom is a no-go is after some turbulence when passengers are required to stay in their seats.
Let's face it - we've all been there when the on-board light for the seatbelt sign goes off and all of a sudden there's a mad dash to the front and end of the plane.
The flight attendant also advised that it's best to go to the toilet before food is even served.
They revealed: "Plane food is not nutritious. It can be oily and high in salt and fat; things that don't tend to be great for gut health or bowel movements.
"If a meal isn't sitting right with a passenger and they need to use the loo because of it, you don't want to be in there straight after."
Adding more stress to the ordeal, the flight attendant also disclosed that even when a plane toilet may seem fairly clean - it's not always as hygienic had you'd hope.
"An important part of the airline industry is turnover," the expert explained.
"This sometimes means that a full, deep clean of the aeroplane loo isn't always possible due to a lack of time and higher priorities."
The cabin crew member, instead, told passengers to be sure to include one specific item in their carry-on.
"The aeroplane loo is essentially a cupboard, with no clean air," they noted, "there is no window and the air ventilation is poor."
Because of this, they told flyers to wear a face mask for hygiene reasons when it comes to the toilets and the whole plane for that matter.
"This means that every time you go to the loo, not only are you breathing in the air of many others who have 'done their business' before you (especially if it’s a long-haul flight) but you could also be breathing in potential faeces particles, circulating the air after a toilet flush," the flight attendant added.
Well, if that's not a nugget of wisdom then I don't know what is.
Topics: Hacks, Travel, Weird, Flight attendants
Rhiannon Ingle