In an effort to save on fuel, and thus reduce carbon emissions (obviously ANA's #1 goal), they are asking passengers to use the bathroom before boarding the plane as part of a month-long experiment starting on October 1st. While they are not requiring passengers to do so, and it would be somewhat creepy to imagine how they'd enforce it, they are strongly recommending that they do so.

If the program proves to be successful, then ANA plans to expand it to a more permanent status. The trial is across the board on ANA's domestic and international flights. A blogger from Gossip Street was quoted in saying that it might not have a huge effect, but it's a great PR move for ANA.

It's a tough balance: I tend to eat before hopping on my flights so I don't have to sit there, trapped and starving, and so it's going to be a while before the food digests enough to require a trip to the bathroom. I suppose just going before you get to the airport would be another idea.

I guess the airlines are desperate to try just about anything. At least they haven't started charging to use the toilet yet -- although I doubt that's far off at this point.