And you think to yourself: Can I … ?

Well, good news, traveler. You can. Legally speaking, there’s no law stopping you from stepping through that polyester partition and answering nature’s call among the champagne-sipping elite — as long as you do it for the right reasons and follow a few simple rules.

Law of the lavatory

Let’s start with the basics. Despite what that stern-looking flight attendant (or your conscience) might suggest, there is no federal law in the United States — nor in most countries — that forbids you from walking past the first-class curtain. It’s not a legal barrier. It’s more like a velvet rope at a party: symbolic, polite and mostly there to keep things orderly.

The curtain exists for one reason — to separate service zones. It helps the crew serve meals, manage crowds and preserve the illusion that first class is a serene, caviar-filled utopia unbothered by the rest of us sardine-packed mortals.

But when nature calls? Even first-class passengers understand. The law says you can walk through, as long as you’re not breaking any other rules in the process.

When it becomes a no-no

Of course, “legal” doesn’t mean “invincible.” There are ways to get yourself into trouble — and none of them end with you looking cool.

For instance, if a flight attendant specifically tells you not to go forward, and you do it anyway, that’s a big deal. Ignoring crew instructions can count as interfering with a flight crew, which is a federal offense. (Translation: orange jumpsuit, not complimentary slippers.)

You also can’t hang around the galley, poke around first-class seats, or linger too close to the cockpit. Airline staff are trained to be hyperaware of anyone acting suspiciously near the flight deck. So if you’re heading up front, make it a purposeful walk — in, out, done.

And yes, some airlines have policies explicitly stating that first-class lavatories are for first-class passengers only. In those cases, the crew’s word is law. If they politely ask you to wait in your own cabin, smile and comply.

When it’s totally fine

Now for the good news: there are several totally legitimate reasons to pass through that curtain of privilege. You’ve been directed to do so by a flight attendant (maybe the rear lavatories are occupied or out of service). You’re helping a child, an elderly person, or someone with limited mobility who needs the nearest available restroom. You’re disembarking at the end of the flight and the crew opens the forward door for exit. You simply have to go, ask politely, and get the green light from the crew.

In all these cases, you’re golden. A polite smile, a quiet demeanor, and a quick return are the ticket to first-class restroom success.

Bottom line

Using a first-class bathroom isn’t illegal, scandalous, or grounds for exile to the cargo hold. It’s simply a matter of respect and timing. The crew is in charge, and their word overrides everything — not because they’re gatekeepers of glamour, but because their primary job is safety.

So the next time you find yourself eyeing that curtained-off oasis, remember: it’s not forbidden fruit. It’s just another door — one that occasionally swings open to those who briskly enter the void with purpose or ask nicely.

And if you’re lucky enough to step inside, enjoy the fleeting moment. Notice the extra space. The folded towels. The hint of citrus air freshener that whispers, “This is what legroom smells like.”

Then flush, wash and head back to your seat with a little secret smile. You just had a first-class experience… without the first-class price tag.

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and seasoned travel journalist to all seven continents. He lives in Provo, Utah with his wife, five children, and one ferocious chihuahua.