American Airlines Opens First-Class Bathrooms to Coach Passengers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There's one seat in first class that American Airlines is opening to coach passengers — the lavatory.
Beginning Thursday, coach passengers can use the front lavatory on American once again after the airline restricted its use to first-class fliers. The change applies to domestic flights and to international flights leaving the U.S., said American spokesman John Hotard.
Under a rule added following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, only first-class passengers could use that section's lavatory on flights en route to the United States. American decided to apply the rule to all flights, Hotard said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The airline was the only carrier with such a rule on all flights, so it opted to change the policy, Hotard said.
The change was announced in a memo to flight crews that was obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Under Transportation Security Administration rules, passengers flying into the United States still have to use lavatories in their respective cabins.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Boeing 757 has two lavatories in first class, which has 22 seats. Two are in coach, which has up to 160 passengers.