The presence of an ashtray is sometimes commented upon , given that smoking has been long banned on flights in many parts of the world . However it is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration that ashtrays continue to be fitted to the doors of aircraft toilets , due to the fire risk caused by the possible disposal of illicitly consumed smoking materials in the toilet 's wastebin . In 2011 , a Jazz flight from Fredericton , Canada to Toronto was prevented from taking off because an ashtray was missing – the aircraft instead flew to Halifax without passengers to have a new ashtray fitted . Waste bins are fitted with Halon fire-extinguishing bottles and " oxygen-smothering flapper lids " , and the toilets equipped with smoke detectors . Over time these protective devices have been incorporated into aircraft lavatory designs due to fires that have started when the careless smoker of the past or the clandestine smoker of the present has incorrectly disposed of smouldering smoking material . Also , the danger from accidental fires in the toilet is considered to be higher than in other parts of the aircraft cabin as the fire would have more time to develop before being noticed by a passenger or crew-member . Several crashes and/or emergency landings have been linked to fires in or near lavatories , such as Varig Flight 820 and Air Canada Flight 797 in 1973 and 1983 , respectively . If the toilet 's fire extinguishing or smoke detection systems are inoperative , the aircraft is still permitted to fly , provided the toilet is barred to passengers and only used by crew members
Air Canada Flight 797
Air Canada Flight 797
Aircraft lavatory