Are airplane lavatories wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible lavatories are available on many of today’s airplanes, but not every aircraft is equipped. U.S. law only requires airlines to provide an accessible toilet on wide-body airplanes with dual aisles. Wide-body airplanes include the Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 747, Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787. Airlines are required to provide onboard aisle chairs on aircraft with an accessible lavatory.
While some airlines have installed accessible lavatories on narrow-body airplanes including the Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A321 and Boeing 757, they are not required to do so by law. Travelers should not count on an accessible lavatory being available on a single aisle aircraft.
Some older wide-body airplanes operated by foreign carriers are exempt from this requirement due to a “grandfather clause.” Airlines are required to answer your questions about the availability of an accessible lavatory — call to make sure your flight will be accessible.
How big are wheelchair accessible airplane lavatories?
Not all accessible lavatories are created equal. Airlines have many cabin interior options to choose from, and they do not always install the most disability-friendly lavatories. The photos below depict some of the most common accessible airplane bathroom [...]