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DOT mandates accessible bathrooms on new planes
The Department of Transportation will require airlines to make aircraft bathrooms more accessible.
Accessible bathrooms will be required on new single-aisle aircraft under new regulations.
It will be a requirement for new single-aisle planes delivered from 2026.
For those with 125 seats or more ordered from 2033, fully-accessible lavatories will be mandatory.
Currently accessible bathrooms are only required for wide bodies jets.
An accessible bathroom requires grab bars and accessible taps and controls, as well as assistance buttons and accessible door locks.
“Today, millions of wheelchair users are forced to choose between dehydrating themselves before a flight or avoiding air travel altogether,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“We are proud to announce this rule that will make airplane bathrooms larger and more accessible.”
“These aircraft must have at least one lavatory to permit a passenger with a disability and maneuver within the aircraft lavatory, to use all facilities,” the DOT said.
No airline will be required to retrofits currently operating aircraft.
The DOT made the announcement on the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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