Why do airplane toilets have ashtrays?

Despite the ban on smoking, it remains a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement to have such ashtrays in the bathroom. The reason is that there should still be a safe place provided to extinguish and place a cigarette, should someone decide (against the law) to light one.



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There is a valve on the storage tank that opens when a toilet is flushed and closes when the toilet is not in use – to prevent odours from leaving the tank. This helps to keep the smell down from so many people using the toilet during a flight. The blue chemical helps to keep the smell down as well.

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Let's start at the beginning: Every surface of an airplane lavatory is supposed to be cleaned with disinfectants and deodorizers after each arrival and during overnight layovers.

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Bathroom cleanliness in-flight is handled by the flight attendant as well, who checks throughout the flight to ensure the lavatories are stocked and tidy.

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Pilots can and sometimes do smoke in the cockpits of business jets. These can be as large as airliners (see BBJ), but usually aren't. Even when a country and/or airline ban smoking in the flight deck, some pilots will ignore the ban and still light up.

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Whereas internal FAA regulations call for maximum $25,000 fines for smoking on planes and distracting crews, several incidents involving cigarettes in lavatories resulted in fines of $500 or less.

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While No Smoking signs are certainly there as a constant reminder that smoking is not allowed on board, the signs are also because of convenience and cost. Airlines, like other private businesses, must reinforce federal laws with signage, such as No Smoking signs (via mydoorsign.com).

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Airline pilots take turns using the bathroom nearest the cockpit during a flight. There are no bathrooms installed in the cockpit. For airplanes with a single pilot, diapers, catheters, or collection devices are used if they are unable to land to use the airport bathroom.

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It's illegal to vape on a plane. Bring a nicotine replacement product if you're concerned about cravings. No airlines allow vaping in flight.

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The pilots can eat in the cockpit, but they tend to not eat at the same time, so that one is always at the controls.

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Under this program, flight crew members are authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to use firearms to defend against acts of criminal violence or air piracy undertaken to gain control of their aircraft.

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Yes, some airline pilots do carry guns in the cockpit but carry a gun lawfully they must belong to a special program called the Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDOs). This program requires special training and pilots who enroll have strict limitations on when they can use the firearm.

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Most airlines wash, sanitize, and reuse the blankets and pillows. Airplane blankets are only cleaned once daily, which means if you are on an evening flight, the blanket could have already been used once or twice.

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Do planes have pads or tampons? Do flight attendants have pads or tampons? Some airlines may have some sanitary pads onboard for emergency use, but it is best to assume not and pack your own. You may simply also ask the female flight attendant for assistance if you are not prepared.

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