A travel expert has revealed one common passenger behaviour in airplane lavatories that causes unnecessary confusion for both fellow travellers and cabin crew.
According to experienced flight attendants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, passengers frequently forget to lock the toilet door – either while inside or after using it.
‘Passengers don’t always realise the impact of their actions in such a confined space,’ a senior cabin crew member told the Mirror.
‘One behaviour we see often – which drives us mad – is leaving the bathroom door unlocked when in use.’
Although the issue may seem minor, it can create repeated problems on board, such as passengers having to knock unnecessarily or attempting to enter thinking the lavatory is free.
If the door isn’t locked properly while in use, it can also result in awkward and embarrassing encounters.
Misuse of the ‘occupied’ sign is another common frustration among flight attendants and passengers.
If the lock isn’t fully engaged, the indicator may not change, leading to confusion about whether the bathroom is available.
According to experienced flight attendants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, passengers frequently forget to lock the toilet door – either while inside or after using it (stock image)
In addition to privacy concerns, crew members explained that maintaining awareness of lavatory use is essential for safety and hygiene reasons.
If a door is left open or unlocked, it may be unclear whether the space has been cleaned or is available for use.
And, in emergencies, cabin crew must also know which facilities are accessible.
The crew member added: ‘It’s embarrassing for everyone involved and wastes valuable time, especially when there’s a queue during busy periods.’
Travel experts at Alpine Elements also highlighted other habits that can frustrate cabin crew and disrupt in-flight service.
One is excessive water use, as the aircraft has a limited water supply, so it’s not advised to leave taps running for a long period of time.
Another is flushing items that can clog aircraft toilets, such as tissues, wipes and sanitary products, which should be placed in the bin.
A third issue is extended bathroom use, especially for non-essential purposes, as this can lead to queues and inconvenience during busy periods.
Leaving the lavatory door unlocked during use can create repeated problems on board, such as passengers having to knock unnecessarily or attempting to enter thinking the lavatory is free
Passengers are advised to follow basic etiquette, such as ensuring door is properly locked to show occupancy, avoid using the loo during peak times, limit water usage to a quick wash and dispose of rubbish in the bin, not the toilet.
Meanwhile, a flight attendant has shared the little-known resting place for cabin crew on long-haul plane journeys – and social media users have been left seriously impressed.
Charlie Silver, who works as cabin crew for TUI, gave viewers a closer look at the cozy sleeping quarters in a TikTok video recently uploaded to her account, @silvercharlie.
In the clip, captioned ‘Sleeping at 40,000ft in the sky,’ the UK-based flight attendant revealed cabin crew are able to doze off in specifically formulated bunk beds located above the main cabin.
