I understand that range and speed and takeoff weights are important characteristics in selecting the best private plane. But why is nobody really talking about one of the most important features when you’re in the air—especially if you’ve had a few celebratory cocktails?
Whether you’re traveling with business associates or flying in the back alone with just two pilots in the front, the lavatory situation can be crucial. Snapping a curtain in place, having a thin door, or lacking a proper trash receptacle in the lav can all lead to not-so-fun memories of flying privately, something we believe should be the ultimate in luxury and convenience.
Here are a few things to look for before deciding to have that second drink on the plane:
1. A separate lavatory.
Smaller planes may just have a curtain separating the cabin from the lavatory. Or if there is a door, it might not extend all the way to the floor. In the King Air line of planes, the potty seat greets you as you climb the entry stairs. There is usually a partition between the cabin and the lavatory, but it also shares the cargo area. If there’s a jump seat in the cargo area and a plane full of passengers, displacing someone becomes awkward. Add to the fact that a belted lavatory sometimes is also a passenger seat, and well, you might have just relocated for the duration of the flight.
2. An externally serviceable lavatory.
Not available in smaller planes, externally serviceable lavatories are standard in super-mid-sized jet and up. Small plane lavatories require “service” through the cabin. If the potty doesn’t happen to be a flushing variety, bags are generally used, sometimes in conjunction with an absorptive material for reduced leakage. A pilot friend of ours sometimes uses kitty litter, which his female friends have renamed “lady litter.” Flushing or not, the excrement is still removed through the cabin; if it’s your plane, make sure the person servicing the lav is super careful not to spill.
3. The location of the lavatory.
Some models of aircraft have a lav located in the front of the cabin, between the cockpit and the passenger seating. Even with the partitions, you might be hoping that it’s a noisier model of aircraft. Notably the Pilatus PC-12 and the new Pilatus PC-24 jet have a forward lavatory so that the rear weight allowances can be used for cargo. Their new jet has a streamlined and very modern-looking lavatory with rumors of a removable aft-lav option. But still, pilot beware…
4. A sink and a mirror.
Just like aircraft are not actually required to have toilets installed, not all planes have sinks. It’s still optional in quite a few models of smaller aircraft. And mirrors? More women aircraft design engineers needed. Just saying.
Tips for flying private if you’re a fairly private person boarding a fairly small plane?
- Don’t drink too much coffee before takeoff
- Make sure there’s toilet paper and a private trashcan
- Carry WetNaps or hand sanitizer just in case
- If there isn’t a lav, take a GoGirl (only you might want a bigger sealable bag…)
The best option, however, is to fly in a plane with a stellar lavatory. Stay tuned to read about the best private jet lavs.
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