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A vacation nightmare recently unfolded on an international flight bound for Texas when six lavatories stopped working while the plane was in the air.
American Airlines flight 37 was traveling from Madrid, Spain, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Oct. 6 when it diverted to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport due to the restroom fail.
An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed the diversion to Fox News Digital, citing “an issue with the aircraft’s lavatories.”
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“On Oct. 6, American Airlines flight 37, with service from Madrid (MAD) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), diverted to New York (JFK) due to an issue with the aircraft’s lavatories,” the spokesperson said.
Six of the aircraft’s eight lavatories were not working — leaving only two available during the transatlantic flight, according to reports.
An American Airlines flight was traveling from Madrid, Spain, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas on Oct. 6 when it diverted to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. (iStock)
The extent of the problem was also heard in communications between the cockpit and air traffic control by LiveATC.net, a website that streams air traffic control communications.
When a controller asked why the aircraft needed to divert, the pilot reported that only two lavatories remained operational.
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“You said only two potties, is that right?” the controller asked.
“That’s affirmative,” the pilot responded.
Six of the aircraft’s eight lavatories were not working, leaving only two available during the transatlantic flight (not pictured). (iStock)
The aircraft landed safely at JFK, where it underwent a maintenance inspection, according to American Airlines.
“The aircraft landed normally and later re-departed for DFW following a maintenance inspection,” the airline said.
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“We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience.”
Steven Arroyo, an aviation expert and retired airline captain based in Florida, told Fox News Digital that “in this case, passenger comfort and hygiene heavily influenced the pilot’s decision to safely divert the flight.”
“Long lines for the restroom can present a security protocol problem.”
Arroyo added, “From a safety perspective, the inherent long lines for the restroom can present a security protocol problem, not to mention safety concerns for passengers who stay in line if the seat belt sign is turned on, rather than return to their seats.
“Being an international flight, the pilots, in coordination with the airline, would need to divert to a USA gateway airport that has customs and immigration services — such as a JFK, EWR, PHL, BOS,” he continued. That would then allow “maintenance personnel to board and fix the plane.”
The aircraft in question (not pictured) landed normally at JFK in New York City, where it underwent a maintenance inspection. (iStock)
The unusual diversion also led to discussion among travelers online, some of whom shared their own experiences with restroom problems aboard flights.
“There was ONE person that clogged two separate lavs on a cross-country 757,” one Reddit user wrote. “[The crew] said if we lost one more, we’d divert. I was so nervous.”
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Another commenter said a relative had been on a flight from Punta Cana to Philadelphia that departed with no functioning bathrooms.
“They even announced there would be no beverage service because there were no working restrooms,” the user wrote.
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Fox News Digital previously reported on another U.S.-bound flight that was disrupted after encountering trouble in the air.
A British Airways flight from London to Chicago descended roughly 27,000 feet before turning back toward London following what the airline described as a “technical issue.”
Flight tracking data showed the Boeing 777 remaining airborne for several hours before landing safely at London Heathrow Airport.