The Biden administration is moving closer to implementing a new rule that will require domestic flights to have accessible onboard restrooms. Vice President Kamala Harris recently expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of accessible restrooms on these flights, calling it absolutely unacceptable and promising to address this inequity.
The existing Air Carrier Access Act aims to prevent discrimination against disabled Americans but does not specify the measures airlines should take to avoid such discrimination. As a result, the requirement to install accessible lavatories on widebody aircraft has been legally established, while no such requirement currently applies to single-aisle jets.
Historically, single-aisle jets have been considered short-haul aircraft, where disabled passengers were expected to hold themselves. Widebody planes, on the other hand, have more spacious lavatories and are predominantly used for long-haul flights where restroom use is more common.
However, there has been a shift in the use of single-aisle jets for longer-range flights. Manufacturers like Airbus are developing models such as the A321XLR, specifically designed to cater to new markets and enable extra-long-range travel.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) highlights that traditionally, accessible lavatories needed to be larger to accommodate disabled individuals and their companions. Some widebody aircraft feature at least one lavatory that is larger than the others for this purpose. On single-aisle planes, the idea of combining two lavatories using a movable wall divider has been proposed.
Airbus has introduced a solution that includes a fold-down transfer seat and grab handles in a relatively small accessible lavatory to assist wheelchair-bound passengers. This adaptation is being considered as a potential compliance option for airlines under the proposed DOT rule, which would require all newly built aircraft with a capacity for 125 or more passengers to have at least one lavatory of sufficient size to accommodate disabled individuals and their assistants.
It is important to note that the proposed rulemaking would only apply to newly built aircraft, and there is a possibility that it would only be enforced 20 years after it becomes law.
In conclusion, the Biden administration is nearing the implementation of a rule that would mandate accessible lavatories on domestic flights. This move aims to address the current lack of accessible restrooms on single-aisle jets, which are increasingly being used for longer-range flights. The Department of Transportation is considering various adaptations, including fold-down transfer seats and grab handles, to make standard-sized lavatories accessible to disabled passengers. The proposed rule would apply only to newly built aircraft and potentially take effect 20 years after it becomes law.
