[anotheryou]

Can't you go theoretically go to the toilet on autopilot? It won't land for you, but while turned on it will keep the plane aloft until fuel runs out, no?

[bluejekyll]

I don't know the answer to this, but it's my guess that at least the pilot or copilot must be at the controls at all times.

[anotheryou]

should be, but doesn't actually have to I guess. (still relatively empty up there, so not so much traffic to avoid)