Sachin Walls
Getting your period while traveling can be a stressful experience, especially if you are unable to find menstrual products when you need them. While some airports provide free tampons and pads in bathrooms, many airports do not have these products readily available. This has led to travelers resorting to alternatives like toilet paper, infant diapers, or relying on the kindness of strangers. The high cost of tampons and pads at airports that do stock them has also been a point of contention. As a result, there have been calls for airports to provide free menstrual products, with some states and companies taking steps towards making this a reality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tampons and pads availability at airports | Varies across airports |
| Free tampons and pads at airports | Some airports provide free tampons and pads, but it's not a common practice |
| Price of tampons at airports | Often expensive |
| Tampons on airplanes | Some airlines provide tampons on planes, but availability varies |
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What You'll Learn
Tampons at airports are often expensive
Tampons and other menstrual hygiene products are often difficult to find at airports. Many airports do not have them stocked in their bathrooms, and even the busiest airports may not have a single store that sells them. This can lead to travellers having to resort to using toilet paper, diapers, or other makeshift solutions when they get their period at the airport.
When tampons are available at airports, they are often sold at a significant markup compared to retail shops outside. For example, a box of tampons at the Calgary International Airport cost $15, which is likely much higher than what one would pay outside the airport. Similar price gouging has been reported at the Vancouver Airport and the Calgary YYC airport.
The high prices at airports are likely due to the captive market of travellers who may have no other option to purchase essential items. This dynamic can result in price gouging, where businesses take advantage of their customers' limited options by charging excessively high prices.
Some airports and airlines have taken steps to address this issue. For example, the Vancouver Airport and Chicago Airport now offer free tampons and pads in their bathrooms. Some airlines also provide menstrual hygiene products on planes, either in the bathroom or through flight attendants. Additionally, companies like Aunt Flow are working to bring free and accessible menstrual products to airports.
Advocates for free menstrual products at airports argue that they are a necessity, not a luxury, and should be treated as such. They point to the fact that toilet paper is provided for free in airport bathrooms, and argue that menstrual hygiene products should be as well.
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Tampons are not always readily available at airports
Many people have shared their experiences of struggling to find tampons or pads at airports. One person recounted their experience at Barcelona Airport, which, despite its modern appearance and numerous shops, did not seem to stock any feminine hygiene products. Another person shared a similar story from Istanbul Airport, where nothing was accessible in the departure lounge. In addition, one traveler at Calgary YYC Airport reported having to pay $15 for a box of tampons, highlighting the issue of price gouging for these essential products at airports.
The lack of readily available tampons and pads at airports can cause significant inconvenience and distress for travelers, especially those who are unprepared for their period. In some cases, women have had to resort to using toilet paper, diapers, or other makeshift solutions. This is unacceptable, given that menstrual hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury.
Some airports and public places have removed dispensers due to people stealing the products. However, this does not address the underlying issue and only serves to punish those who need these products. Instead, airports should prioritize the needs of their guests and ensure convenient access to essential amenities.
There have been some positive steps towards making menstrual hygiene products more accessible at airports. For example, Vancouver's YVR Airport has made tampons and pads free in the bathrooms. Additionally, companies like Aunt Flow are working to provide free, accessible, and hygienic dispensers at airports. Furthermore, three states in the US—California, Illinois, and New York—have introduced legislation requiring public schools to offer free menstrual hygiene products.
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Some airports provide free tampons
While some airports, such as Calgary International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Barcelona Airport, have been criticised for failing to provide free tampons and pads in their restrooms, there are some airports that provide free tampons. Newark Terminal A, for example, has partnered with Aunt Flow and Citron Hygiene to provide free, sustainable, and accessible period products in restrooms throughout the terminal. Tampa Airport is another airport that provides free period products, as one passenger reported that they were relieved to find a free tampon dispenser in one of the airport's restrooms.
Aunt Flow is a company that provides free, organic cotton, plastic-free tampons and pads in airports. They have partnered with Citron Hygiene to provide free period products in airport restrooms, enhancing customer experience and setting a new standard for convenience and care. Aunt Flow dispensers are ADA-compliant, rust-resistant, and have a modern, sleek design.
While some airports do provide free tampons, it is not a universal practice. As a result, some passengers have had to resort to using toilet paper, purchasing overpriced tampons, or asking female staff members for assistance. This has led to calls for more airports to provide free menstrual hygiene products, as they are a necessity for many travellers.
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Tampons are sometimes available on aeroplanes
It can be challenging to find tampons at airports. Many people have reported that they are unavailable in airport shops and vending machines, and even if they are available, they are often overpriced. However, tampons are sometimes available on aeroplanes. Some airlines provide tampons and pads in the bathrooms, and flight attendants may also have them available upon request. It is always a good idea to carry your own tampons or pads while travelling to avoid any inconvenience or embarrassment. Additionally, some airports, such as Vancouver International Airport, provide free tampons and pads in their bathrooms, and companies like Aunt Flow are working to make period products more accessible in airports. While there is still progress to be made, efforts are being made to normalise the availability of menstrual hygiene products in public spaces.
It is important to note that the availability of tampons on aeroplanes may vary depending on the airline and the flight. Some airlines may provide them as a standard amenity, while others may only have them available upon request. It is always a good idea to check with the airline beforehand to know what to expect. Additionally, some airlines may only stock tampons in the bathrooms of long-haul flights, assuming that passengers on shorter flights will have come prepared.
One traveller recounted how they started their period mid-flight and was relieved to discover a small compartment under the mirror in the bathroom containing pads. A flight attendant informed them that this feature is present on all of the airline's planes. Another traveller shared that they were able to obtain a tampon from a shop staff member at an airport in Istanbul, although the staff member was embarrassed and asked them to come behind the counter so no one could see.
While it is encouraging to see that some airlines and airports are taking steps to provide tampons and other menstrual hygiene products, there is still a long way to go. Many people have shared their frustrating experiences of being unable to find tampons at airports or on aeroplanes, and it is clear that there is a need for more widespread accessibility. As one person commented, "I live in the UK where period products are given away for free in schools and hospitals, but I grew up in Italy where finding a dispenser of free and accessible pads would be a literal novelty."
In conclusion, while tampons may sometimes be available on aeroplanes, it is not a guarantee. It is always a good idea to carry your own supply when travelling to avoid any inconvenience or embarrassment. However, it is encouraging to see that some airlines and airports are taking steps to normalise the availability of menstrual hygiene products, and it is hoped that this trend will continue.
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Tampons are often hard to find in airports outside of Western countries
While some major airports in Western countries provide free tampons and pads in their bathrooms, this is not the case for all airports. In fact, tampons can be hard to find in airports outside of Western countries. For example, a traveller at the Barcelona airport was unable to find any tampons or pads in the bathroom or in any of the retail shops. She was forced to ask a female clerk at the cashier desk, who informed her that there was nowhere to purchase feminine hygiene products in the area. Similarly, one of the Istanbul airports does not have any feminine hygiene products available in the departure lounge. Another traveller at the Calgary International Airport had to pay $15 for a box of tampons because the vending machines in the bathrooms were not working.
This issue of inaccessible or overpriced tampons and pads at airports is not unique to non-Western countries. Many airports in Western countries also fall short when it comes to providing affordable and accessible menstrual products. For instance, a traveller at the Dallas, TX airport was unable to find any pads before her next flight. Another traveller at the YYC Calgary airport had to pay $15 for a box of tampons.
The lack of accessible and affordable tampons and pads at airports can be attributed to several factors, including the removal of products due to people prying open dispensers and taking all the products, and price gouging at airport shops. Additionally, some airports may not prioritize carrying menstrual products, considering them non-essential items.
However, there are efforts being made to improve access to menstrual products at airports. For example, the company Aunt Flow provides ADA-compliant dispensers that use organic cotton pads and tampons, addressing the issues of accessibility and the use of synthetic dyes and chemicals in other dispensers. Dr Bronner's, a supplier of organic and fair-trade mint oils, has also been a proponent of accessibility to menstrual products since 2019, supplying women in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, with free reusable menstrual pads. They have also stocked employee restrooms with free menstrual products at their plant and headquarters in Vista, California.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airport. Some airports sell tampons in vending machines, in bathrooms, or at retail shops. However, some airports do not sell tampons at all.
Some airports have removed tampons from bathrooms because people would pry them open and take all the tampons.
Yes, you can bring your own tampons or pads to the airport. You can also ask flight attendants for tampons or pads, as some airlines stock them in the bathrooms.
Yes, some airports such as Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Chicago Airport offer free tampons and pads in their bathrooms.
If you can't find tampons at the airport, you can ask female staff members or other female travellers, as they may have tampons or pads in their bags.
