A stewardess reveals the deplorable state of the toilets in the planes: “you can breathe particles of excrement”

“These planes are cleaned twice a year”

The former hostess begins her story with some unsavory information: “An airplane lavatory is not much more than a closet, with no clean air. There are no windows and the air ventilation is poor. This means that every time you go to the bathroom, not only are you breathing the air of many other people who have “done their business” before you (especially if it is a long-haul flight), but you can also breathe in possible particles excrement circulating in the air after flushing“. “Better to wear a mask“, she adds.

In addition, regarding the small sinks with very low water flow for washing hands, the professional warns passengers. “One of the major problems in aviation today is the lack of personnel. Result: we don’t always have time to carry out a deep cleaning of the toilets“, she explains, insisting on the prohibition to drink this water which is never filtered, while advising not to rinse your hands with it. To do this, it is better to favor a small bottle of water .

An air travel expert, George Hobica, confirms this lack of hygiene to the NY Post: “These aircraft are deep cleaned twice a year.“

A matter of timing

According to the expert, “the worst time to use the airplane toilet is just before takeoff and at the very end of the flight, especially if it’s a long haul“. Indeed, this is when the toilets are used the most and there are the most bacteria.

It is also better to stay away after turbulence, since passengers could feel unwell.

The best time to go would therefore be before the meal is served, according to the stewardess. In effect, “food served on airplanes is not nutritious. Food can be oily, high in salt and fat which is not very good for gut health or bowel movements“, she explained. “If a meal doesn’t suit a passenger and they have to go to the bathroom because of it, you don’t want to be there right after.”

“Wipe Everything”

Finally, the former hostess suggests “avoiding direct contact with as many surfaces as possible”. Hygiene can be deplorable, she advises to “absolutely wipe down every surface before touching it, but if that is not possible, take a few sheets of [papier toilette] and use them to avoid touching anything directly with your fingertips.“