Texas-bound American Airlines flight diverted to New York's JFK after six out of eight lavatories stopped

An American Airlines transatlantic flight diverted to New York’s JFK after six of eight lavatories stopped working mid-air, according to The Times of India. The incident involved American Airlines flight 37 traveling from Madrid to Dallas-Fort Worth when the diversion occurred on October 6.

Air traffic control communications indicate the crew requested a landing permission and cited the restroom issue as the reason for the diversion. The controller confirmed the request and queried the number of operational lavatories, to which the pilot affirmed that only two remained functional.

A spokesperson for American Airlines confirmed the diversion and stated that the issue was with the aircraft’s lavatories. The airline said the flight diverted to JFK, where the aircraft was inspected before continuing to its original destination, Dallas/Fort Worth.

The report notes that, after the inspection at JFK, the aircraft departed for DFW again. The airline expressed an apology for the disruption to passengers’ travel plans but did not provide additional details on any resulting impacts.

Industry commentary referenced in the source described potential security and operational considerations related to long restroom queues on long-haul international flights, noting that a diversion to a gateway with customs and immigration services could facilitate maintenance and boarding.