Flushing Toilets In Airports: A Step-By-Step Guide

Airplane toilets are very different to the ones we use at home. They use an active vacuum instead of a passive siphon, so when you flush, a valve in the sewer line opens and the vacuum sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. This means that airplane toilets use very little water or blue sanitizing liquid. But be warned, airplane bathrooms are not cleaned during the flight, so they are full of germs.

How to avoid touching surfaces in an airport toilet

Avoiding touching surfaces in an airport toilet can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to minimise contact with potentially dirty areas. Firstly, be aware of the dirtiest, grimiest, most germ-infested parts of the airport and plane. A recent study found that some of the filthiest parts of airplanes and airports are things we're all guilty of putting our hands on.

One way to avoid touching surfaces in the airport toilet is to use a paper towel or tissue to open the door and turn on the tap. You can also use hand sanitiser or wipes to clean your hands after washing them. If you need to use the toilet, try to use a single-use paper cover or seat protector if possible.

When it comes to your toiletries, avoid using your toothbrush on the grimy side of a public restroom sink. Instead, bring a travel toothbrush that you can dispose of after use. To prevent your makeup from cracking en route, pad the compact with a cotton ball. If you're bringing shampoo, lotion, or other liquids, place a sheet of plastic wrap beneath the cap of each bottle to avoid leaks.

Finally, be mindful of your surroundings and try to avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily. Use a paper towel or your elbow to open doors, and avoid putting your hands on high-contact surfaces like handrails or door handles.

Why there's no water in the bowl

There is no water in the bowl of an airplane toilet because the movements of the plane would make the water splash out. Instead, airplane toilets use a blue disinfecting liquid and a vacuum system to get rid of the bowl's contents. When you push the "flush" button, you open up a valve in the sewer line and the vacuum sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. The waste is then removed from the tank by a ground crew person driving a truck.

How the vacuum system works

Unlike toilets on the ground, airplane toilets use an active vacuum system instead of a passive siphon. This means that when you flush, a valve in the sewer line opens and the vacuum sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. This process requires very little water or blue sanitizing liquid to clean the bowl for the next user. Most vacuum systems flush with just half a gallon (2 litres) of fluid or less.

The vacuum system is necessary because the movements of the plane would make water splash out of the bowl. The vacuum system also means that there is no funnel action when you push the handle to flush. Instead, the vacuum system sucks the contents out of the bowl.

The waste goes through a pipe to a storage tank or tanks in the plane. After the plane is parked at the gate, a ground-crew person hooks up a hose to the storage tank to remove the waste. The driver then takes the waste to a location at the airport where it is safely and properly disposed of. This is part of the standard turnaround tasks that are completed once a plane arrives at an airport and before it departs for its next flight.

Where the waste goes

When you flush an aeroplane toilet, the waste is sucked into a storage tank through a suction mechanism and pipes. This is because aeroplane toilets use an active vacuum instead of a passive siphon, and they are therefore called vacuum toilets. When you flush, it opens a valve in the sewer line, and the vacuum in the line sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank.

Because the vacuum does all the work, it takes very little water (or the blue sanitising liquid used in aeroplanes) to clean the bowl for the next person. Most vacuum systems flush with just half a gallon (2 litres) of fluid or less, compared to 1.6 gallons (6 litres) for a water-saving toilet and up to 5 gallons (19 litres) for an older toilet.

After the plane is parked at the gate, a ground-crew person driving a truck hooks up a hose to the storage tank to remove the waste. The driver then takes the waste to a location at the airport where it is safely, sanitarily and properly disposed of. This is part of the standard turnaround tasks that are completed once a plane arrives at an airport and before it departs for its next flight.

How the toilets are cleaned

Airport toilets are cleaned by a professional cleaning team. They are cleaned at least once a day, but are also given an intermittent scrubbing to provide a satisfying experience for bathroom users. This includes vacuuming, sweeping and mopping the tile floors, and using a disinfectant spray or solution on surfaces. The sinks are wiped with disinfectant spray and dried with disposable towels throughout the day.

The toilets themselves are cleaned by scrubbing them. The toilet paper and paper towel dispensers are also kept fully stocked.

Airplane toilets, on the other hand, are typically not cleaned during the flight. They use an active vacuum instead of a passive siphon, and are therefore called vacuum toilets. When you flush, it opens a valve in the sewer line, and the vacuum in the line sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. Because the vacuum does all the work, it takes very little water (or the blue sanitizing liquid used in airplanes) to clean the bowl for the next person. Most vacuum systems flush with just half a gallon (2 litres) of fluid or less, compared to 1.6 gallons (6 litres) for a water-saving toilet and up to 5 gallons (19 litres) for an older toilet.

Frequently asked questions