If there’s one sign that the economy is on the rebound, it’s probably not the fact that the market topped 10,000 yesterday. The true test of economic recovery comes with crazy luxurious lavatories aboard commercial airliners. Back before the bust, Emirates was all about promoting their shower for the classiest of first class flyers lucky enough to travel the world on the A380. However, now Oman Air wants a piece of the action, and they’re going to do it with their toilet.

Details are limited at this point, but we’re suckers for their trap, and we want to know more already. The airline is ordering up some new Airbus A330-300 aircraft and they’re planning to install the swanky bathrooms aboard the new planes. Only the pilot and first class customers will have access to the lavatory that sits right behind the cockpit. Besides the toilet there will be a bidet, Amouage products, and plenty of other lotions, colognes, and perfumes to keep passengers so fresh and so clean. ]]> kjb 2009-10-15T10:33:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/7/124050/611

Among the many, many problems that arise out of Ryanair's ongoing success—they're up another 17% by the way—is that people start to think like Ryanair executives. Japanese airline ANA, perhaps inspired by the "we'll charge you for the bathroom" shenanigans of Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, has taken to trying to regulate the urination of its passengers by urging them to pee before they board. This can't be for real, right?

Sounds like it is, though:]]> Omri 2009-10-07T13:03:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/9/53825/11035

The last time we mentioned the big red rock that is Uluru, a major tourist attraction almost smack-bang in the middle of Australia, it was with the relatively reasonable question of should we climb it or not, given the apparent dangers and the feelings of the local Aboriginal people. This time though, Uluru is up for discussion because, unbelievably, some tourists are using the top of the rock as a toilet.

As Northern Territory boss Paul Henderson said this week: "It is outrageous and offensive that tourists are defecating on top of Uluru, an Aboriginal sacred site." You can say that again. A tour operator admitted that some tourists even took a roll of toilet paper with them, despite knowing that there were no toilet facilities of any kind at the top of the rock, and no soil or sand to dig in.]]> amandak 2009-09-09T11:32:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/4/223851/7821

It's back! Even though Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary would have us believe that their threat to begin charging to use the airplane bathroom never left the table, we still can't believe that this issue has resurfaced.

The pay-to=pee idea has returned because, after all of the laughing and "you're kidding, right?" died down, Ryanair has reaffirmed their commitment to bringing this incredibly miserly fee to the skies. Although no firm dates have been announced, O'Leary did say that it would be within the next two years, a time frame which could be moved up if Boeing quickly figures out a way to install credit card machines on stall doors. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-06-05T09:47:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/3/10555/10351

Remember the best-selling book 1000 Places to See Before You Die? You know, the tome everyone who enjoys travel received for Christmas in like, 2004? Perhaps the best part of that book was the ability to go through and count up all of the spots you've already hit and plot for the rest.

We recommend doing something similar with Cintas' list of America's Best Restrooms, all currently vying for the title with voting open through July 31. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-06-03T11:47:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/10/112112/844

We thought that when Ryanair introduced the possibility of using pay-for-toilets on its airplanes, everyone would say it was an outrageous fee to force on passengers. However, thanks to a study done by Travelzoo, we've learned the sad news that 41 percent of Americans would be ok with giving up their restroom privileges if it meant saving more money on a flight. Yes, people would forfeit going to the bathroom for a cheaper flight. Is nothing sacred in-air anymore?]]> juliana 2009-03-10T11:51:46-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/27/8320/39193

Could this contraption await you on your next Ryanair flight?

Has Michael O’Leary realized he’s gone too far? There we were thinking that by abolishing check in queues, Ryanair had gone just about as far as it could in its quest to be the most measly airline ever.

But then CEO Michael O’Leary went on TV this morning and announced that the airline was considering charging passengers to use the toilet on its planes. He told the BBC:

One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound ($1.43) to spend a penny in future

]]> juliab 2009-02-27T10:23:13-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/