The curious case of ever smaller loos on aeroplanes deserves our attention

IT is not just you. Aeroplane toilets really are getting smaller. Some of the great engineering minds of our time appear to have shifted from designing jaw-dropping dams and spectacular suspension bridges to shaving a couple of inches off an already “tight” bathroom.

- Jack Kessler

But in the air, that is valuable real estate, and more than enough to squeeze in an additional row of economy.

As for the seats? Practically see-through at this point. Gone are the cushioned fabrics of yore, replaced by lightweight and ultra-thin materials. This saves weight and ultimately fuel. Take the latest offering by French seat manufacturer Expliseat, which provides a reduction from more than 11kg to under 7kg, with a frame composed of carbon fibre and titanium.

It may not sound like much, but bear in mind the global airline industry’s fuel bill was estimated to reach $271 billion in 2022, accounting for just under a third of operating expenses. Even savings of a few hundred grams make a difference to an industry with famously tight profit margins.