In an effort to reduce their fuel burn and carbon emissions, Japan’s ANA, a fine airline in most every regard, politely requests that its passengers visit the loo before their next flight. The more you leave on the ground, the lighter the plane, the lower the fuel burn, and the happier the planet.
Airline staff will be present at boarding gates in terminals to ask passengers waiting to fly to relieve themselves before boarding, The Independent reported.
ANA hopes the weight saved will lead to a five-tonne reduction in carbon emissions over the course of 30 days.
The airline began the policy on October 1, according to Japan’s NHK television.
Although it is intended as an experiment lasting one month and 42 flights, the trial may be extended if it is well-received by passengers and if results are positive.
Based on an average human bladder capacity of 15oz, if 150 passengers relieved themselves on board an aircraft, this would amount to 63.7kg of waste.
…and that’s just the bladder… No word on the weight savings for performing other human activities on terra firma. Must be Japanese politeness that’s limiting discussion to #1.
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October 7th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
The paint on the plane’s skin weighs more.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Just how many peole board planes with full bladders? I do see one or two people that will go to the lavatory before take-off, but come on!
October 8th, 2009 at 10:17 am
How about the decreased costs in servicing the toilets…?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Great … this’ll be the next excuse to stop service drinks in flight.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
They have talking turds on TV. For kids no less. I think politeness has nothing to do with it.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:07 am
@Bryan Price,
Are you referring to Domo? You’ll be pleased to know he/it is coming to a 7-Eleven near you… Just don’t drink a Big Gulp before your flight!
October 11th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
It’s great PR, but I’d bet that the airlines are going to load more cargo to offset the weight lost by the pre-flight potty run, thereby keeping the CO2 emissions the same and increasing the airline’s profit.