When you fly, one of the last things you would ever think about is taking spare change to pay for the bathroom. No airlines currently charge for using onboard bathrooms. However, for low-cost airlines, the proposal to do so could be an attractive one. Should low-cost carriers charge?

Frontier airlines denver getty images
Frontier refund vouchers required passengers to rebook within 90 days despite the uncertain schedule. Photo: Getty Images

Passing bills to prevent airlines charging for bathroom usage

There are very few people in the world who would expect to rack up a bill for using a cabin bathroom. It appears that Daniel Lipinski was one of the very few. Back in 2015, the US Democratic representative introduced a bill into Congress that would prohibit airlines charging customers for using the bathroom. Nearly five years later, the bill has still not progressed and there are no airlines that are charging for the convenience.

However, that doesn't mean that they haven't thought about it.

In 2010, Ryanair made headlines for audaciously suggesting that it would, in the future, add a charge for passenger bathrooms. The cost would have been minimal, either £1 or €1. However, the proposition was received with animosity. Ryanair thought it would be a good idea to help it generate revenue. Customers thought it was another money-squeezing scheme.

Parked Ryaniar aircraft
Ryanair had planned to introduce paid bathrooms onboard but was met with criticism. Photo: Paolo Margari via Flickr

Needless to say, Ryanair didn't go ahead with this development. But was its thinking completely deluded?

Here's why passengers should pay for the bathroom

When it comes to making money, Ryanair wasn't wrong in suggesting that this proposal could make a pretty penny. As it is, low-cost airlines charge for many added extras such as advanced seat booking, food and drink. Adding a cost for the bathroom would generate revenue.

What's more, airport bathrooms are currently free. By encouraging passengers to make their final bathroom break before entering the aircraft, airlines would have far fewer passengers using the onboard lavatories. Why would they want to do that?

Concorde toilet
Why would LCCs want fewer bathrooms? Photo: Qualti-E via Wikimedia Commons

Well, there are a few reasons. First, installing and maintaining aircraft lavatories can be costly. The latest designs on modern aircraft include vacuum flush technology which keeps everything sanitary and avoids unpleasant odors. By charging for the use of these lavatories, the low-cost airlines, that operate at very slim profit margins anyway, would be able to recover some of the costs for this otherwise luxury.

What's more, if airlines were able to change passenger behavior and encourage bathroom trips before boarding, airlines could do away with some of their cubicles. This would free up space for these low-cost carriers and permit higher profit margins.

Here's why LCCs should keep free bathrooms

Whilst that might sound financially smart, this argument completely negates the concept of customer comfort. Many of the arguments for paid onboard bathrooms are ones that would directly benefit the airlines.

There are equally many reasons why charging for bathrooms would not be a smart idea.

A very obvious consideration is the fact that everyone is different and using the bathroom before boarding a flight might not be the best option for all people. It doesn't factor in emergency bathroom breaks or those with weak bladders or nervous nauseous flyers. Quite simply, paid bathrooms do not give customers options where they need them.

Airline restroom
A suspected case will have their own lavatory reserved for their use. Photo: David via Wikimedia Commons

In addition, bathrooms are considered to be a necessity rather than a luxury. There are very few other places to go when you're cruising at 35,000 feet on a four-hour flight. Needless to say, for passenger comfort, bathrooms must remain free.

Another argument for free bathrooms is that airlines would not really make a substantial amount of money by having customers pay to use them. Charging under $1 for the bathroom would not generate much revenue. Even if airlines wanted to remove some lavatory cubicles to facilitate extra seats, there would be the issue of compliance. There should be around one bathroom for every 50 passengers, dependent on aircraft size and the length of the journey. As a result, adding more seats would necessitate even more bathrooms, not less.

Conclusion

The winner of this debate really depends on whether you think about the benefit to low-cost airlines or to their customers. Would airlines be sacrificing loyal customers who will go to other more expensive airlines just to have the benefit of a free bathroom?

What's clear is that this isn't the be-all and end-all of the balance sheet. Unless low-cost carriers are dead set on the reasons why they should pay for this convenience, it's unlikely things will change.

In this argument, I think the customer wins.

What do you think? Have your say in the comments.