Not all private jets are created equal.
This statement is especially true when it comes to the bathrooms on private jets, varying wildly from aircraft to aircraft.
Some private jets have multiple lavatories onboard. Some have showers. Others have a curtain with a small chemical toilet. Others have no toilet at all.
Therefore, choosing the right aircraft that will match your expectations is critical. Here is what you can expect from the bathroom on a private jet.
Very Light Jets
Very Light Jets are the smallest jets on the market, such as the Embraer Phenom 100EV and Cessna Citation Mustang.
However, despite being the smallest jets on the market, the lavatory facilities vary significantly.
For example, take the Eclipse 500, Eclipse 550, and Cirrus Vision Jet. These aircraft are intended for short flights – generally no more than 60 minutes.
Therefore, the decision was made by the manufacturers that a toilet could be excluded from the cabin. This is because the bathroom facilities would rarely be used.
This is one of the reasons that these aircraft are as small as they are. Additionally, the fewer facilities onboard, the lower the weight and cabin size. Not only does this reduce the overall manufacturing costs but also reduces the operating costs. A win-win for owners looking to fly short hops.
The next step up is the semi-enclosed lavatories. In these circumstances, you will find a liftable seat cushion that exposes a chemical toilet.
There will be no doors surrounding the seat and the toilet does not flush. However, there may be a removable privacy curtain.
In the VLJ category, the primary offender for the emergency toilet is the Cessna Citation Mustang. With the Mustang, the semi-enclosed lav is located between the cockpit and the main cabin.
However, even within the VLJ category, there are aircraft that feature a fully enclosed lavatory.
For example, the HondaJet. Here there is a solid door separating the toilet from the main cabin. Additionally, there is a wash hand basin available.
Light Jets Bathrooms
Despite light jets being larger than VLJs, the toilet facilities aren’t significantly above those of the top-end VLJs.
The primary benefit will be more space.
Given the size of the VLJs, passengers will struggle to stand up while in the lavatory.
However, light jets will provide slightly more space within the bathroom.
Typically features are some form of solid door, whether that be a swinging door, bi-fold door, sliding pocket door, or an accordion door.
Generally speaking, most light jets will feature a flushable toilet, wash basin, mirror, and maybe even some storage.
Additionally, most light jets will have a seatbelt and cover available for the lavatory. This provides an additional, certified passenger seat.
Midsize Jets
The upgrade from light jets to midsize jets is similar to that of VLJs to light jets.
The basic facilities remain the same – a flushing lavatory, wash basin, mirror, and some storage.
However, the key upgrade is more space and the potential for the space to be used as a private dressing area.
Given that these are the aircraft that are being used to fly up to five hours, the toilet facilities are more important than aircraft that are only flying for an hour.
Additionally, the cabin of a midsize jet is larger, translating to more bathroom space.
Large Jet Bathrooms
Large jets are where the bathroom facilities start to get exciting. Additionally, large jets are the point at which the bathroom can start to be used for just that – bathing.
Given that these are the aircraft that are flying for, in some cases, up to 14 or 15 hours, the facilities need to be impeccable.
Moreover, given that some of the top-end large jets cost upwards of $70 million, the bathroom facilities need to be of the highest quality.
With some long-range jets, you will find more of the same in the bathroom – that is a flushing toilet, sink, mirror, and storage. However, the space increases, the facilities, and fixtures are of higher quality, and there will likely be better lighting.
However, when you start to get into territory such as the Bombardier Global family, the flagship Gulfstream family, and the flagship Dassault aircraft, the bathroom facilities reach new heights.
Not only is this seen in terms of more substantial facilities, but natural lights, such as a skylight on some aircraft, and a shower.
Additionally, some large aircraft can be fitted with multiple lavatories. Therefore, if one passenger is using the shower it doesn’t prevent other passengers from using the lavatory.
VIP Airliners Bathrooms
VIP Airliners take bathroom facilities to an even greater level.
When it comes to the likes of the Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), and Embraer Lineage 1000E, there is a lot of space to work with. Additionally, these aircraft are so customizable that almost anything goes.
In some cases, owners have options for multiple bathrooms, spa facilities, and even Turkish baths.
Generally speaking, passengers will find a toilet and shower available in the middle of the aircraft, along with ensuite facilities at the rear attached to the VIP bedroom. It is also likely that there will be a toilet upfront for the crew.
Summary
When it comes to bathrooms on private jets there is quite a significant range. Therefore, it is important to check which facilities you can expect on your specific aircraft.
For example, the Cessna Citation Mustang with just a non-flushable chemical toilet behind a curtain, all the way up to the Falcon 8X with a shower onboard.
Moreover, even within the same class, there can be significant variations in facilities, as you have seen with the HondaJet. An aircraft that packs a lot in such a small area.
