Design Requirements for Passengers with Disabilities in Aircraft Lavatory: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The 2023 Air Carrier Access Act amendments mandate accessible lavatory designs for narrow-body aircraft by 2035. This study bridges the gap between legislation and implementation through a systematic literature review, analyzing 17 records identified using terms including "aircraft," "accessibility," and "lavatory." We identified key accessibility requirements across different disability types and reclassified them according to design parameters. For wheelchair users, specifications include minimum door widths of 81cm, turning radius of 1.20m×1.20m, and strategically positioned grab bars. Passengers with vision impairment require tactile signage and audio/visual assistance systems, while their caregivers benefit from expanded spaces of 1.5m×1.5m. Design parameters pertain to door mechanisms, interior dimensions, support fixtures, and modular expansion capabilities. Our systematized approach integrates previously fragmented accessibility knowledge across diverse disability requirements, and it creates a foundation for future development design solutions that better serve diverse passenger needs within aircraft constraints.