Aircraft Lavatory - Fixtures

Fixtures

• Ashtray
• Built in waterless toilets with push button flush
• Call button - for assistance
• Electrical outlet
• Garbage can - small push door to discourage use of toilet to dispose of non-human waste items
• Handle bars to assist elderly or disabled passengers to get up from toilet
• Handwash faucet and sink (i.e., taps or push button)
• Mirror
• Paper towels
• Soap dispenser
• Toilet paper dispenser or linens
• Paper cup dispenser
• Sign on door to indicate lavatory in use or not in use
• Toiletries - handcream, facial tissue, sanitary napkins

Fitted cabinets may contain additional toilet paper and other toiletries, but they are often locked. The toilet and sink are often moulded plastic or a stainless steel sink, the floor is usually a non-slip surface. In newer aircraft, the executive or first class lavatories are roomier and offer more toiletries and other comforts.

The presence of an ashtray is sometimes commented upon, given that smoking has been long banned on flights in many parts of the world. However it is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration that ashtrays continue to be fitted to the doors of aircraft toilets. This is due to the fire risk caused by the possible disposal of illicitly consumed smoking materials in the toilet's waste–bin. In 2011, a Jazz flight from Fredericton, Canada to Toronto was prevented from taking off because an ashtray was missing – the aircraft instead flew to Halifax without passengers to have a new ashtray fitted.

Waste bins are fitted with halon fire–extinguishing bottles and "oxygen-smothering" "flapper lids", and the toilets equipped with smoke detectors. Over time these protective devices have been incorporated into aircraft lavatory designs due to fires that have started when the careless smoker of the past or the clandestine smoker of the present has incorrectly disposed of smouldering smoking material. If the toilet's fire extinguishing system is inoperative, the aircraft is still permitted to fly, provided the toilet is barred to passengers and only used by crew members.