Sarah B, a flight attendant for a US airline, shares that there are two ideal times to use the lavatory: immediately after flight attendants finish clearing the first meal service or before the aircraft announces its descent. Typically, the flight crew will make this announcement about 20-30 minutes before landing, depending on the flight and airline regulations.

According to Sarah, this is when most passengers are still settling into their seats, watching movies, or resting, so the lavatories are usually less crowded.

Conversely, many passengers tend to use the lavatory right after meal service or upon hearing the announcement that the aircraft is preparing to land. These are typically the busiest times, and meal carts might still block the aisles. Passengers could face long queues, potentially missing the opportunity to use the lavatory before the flight crew requests them to return to their seats for descent preparation.

Flight attendant walking down the aisle to check flight safety. *Photo: My fly right*

For long-haul flights, Sarah notes that the journey typically follows a rhythm: meal service, a rest period, a second meal service, and then descent. The quiet period after the first meal, when cabin lights are dimmed and passengers begin to rest, is an opportune time to use the lavatory.

Rani Cheema, an American travel consultant who frequently takes long-haul flights, also has her own strategy. She often uses the restroom multiple times before boarding the plane and makes sure to use the lavatory before takeoff.

Cheema also limits her fluid intake before and during the journey to avoid needing the lavatory immediately after boarding. During the flight, she prioritizes using it when most passengers are asleep.

Cheema also pays attention to the lavatory's location. "If there's a very visible lavatory, such as one at the front, I won't use that one", she states. Instead, she typically opts for lavatories at the rear or in more secluded spots, where fewer passengers notice them.

According to experts, choosing the right time is particularly important on crowded flights, where one lavatory serves about 60 passengers. Therefore, going early or taking advantage of when most passengers are asleep can help you avoid queues and reduce inconvenience.

Anh Minh (*According to T+L*)