Lou McLeod: The Secret Airplane Features That Flight Attendants Won’t Tell You About

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There are certain airplane features and little secrets that even frequent fliers are clueless about. Read on and find out what they are, and how they can affect your flight!

Don’t Be Clueless About These Airplane Features!

Have you ever caught yourself wondering about airplane features while on a flight? What the little hole in the window’s for? Why do they dim the lights when the plane’s taking off or landing? While flight attendants don’t give out this information, questions like these fire up a curious mind. Moreover, even frequent fliers may not have any answers to these. On that note, here are some of the airplane features and cabin secrets that may satisfy your curiosity and change your whole perspective of flying:

1. The Hole in the Window

The Hole in the Window | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
The tiny holes in airplane windows are actually called bleed holes. These holes ensure your safety by reducing the pressure on the middle pane, so the outer pane takes the force of the cabin pressure. You may also notice that the window has a strange shape. This is because this shape spreads the pressure evenly around the surface, making it safer and sturdier.

2. Missing Seat Numbers

Missing Seat Numbers | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
You may not have noticed, but most airplanes don’t have a 13th row. This is because of superstitious fliers who believe that 13 is an unlucky number. Although not everybody believes in that unluckiness, airlines take such beliefs into consideration, which is why seats in the plane go straight from row 12 to 14.

Furthermore, there are also airplanes that don’t have a 17th row. Seventeen is known to be an unlucky number too, in Brazil and Italy. Airlines have also removed that row number to cater to passengers who believe such, keeping them calm during the flight.

3. The Truth about Oxygen Masks

Truth About Oxygen Mask | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
If the cabin pressure falls below its threshold, it takes only 15-20 seconds before the oxygen runs out. When this happens, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling and expose every passenger to what they call a “rubber jungle.” The mask will give you 12-15 minutes of oxygen, which gives enough time for the pilot to take the plane to a lower altitude where you can breathe normally again.

4. The Reason Why They Dim the Lights When Landing at Night

The Reason Why They Dim the Lights When Landing at Night | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
You may notice that every time the plane is landing or taking off at night, they always dim the interior lights. The reason behind this is to allow your eyes to pre-adjust to darkness. Notably, take-offs and landings are also the time when most accidents occur. If something were to happen during this time when the lights are off, you’d have the advantage of attuned eyes.

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5. Why They Tell You to Turn Off Your Mobile Electronic Devices

Why They Tell You to Turn Off Your Mobile Electronic Devices | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
Your mobile electronic devices can’t bring an airplane down, but they can be annoying to pilots. Although it’s debatable, the signal from these devices, especially when there’s a lot of people using it at the same time, may affect the aircraft communication system, navigation, and electronic equipment.

Also, one of the reasons why they want you to turn off your mobile electronic device during take-offs and landings is so that you’ll pay attention to their safety messages.

6. The First Class Seat May Not Be the Safest Place

The First Class Seat May Not Be the Safest Place | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
If you’re going to ask any random person to choose between economy or first class, most of them — if not all — will choose the latter. Who wouldn’t want more leg room and the privilege of boarding the plane before everyone else? However, in the event of a crash, it turns out that the first class cabin is the worst place to be. Passengers in first class have the lowest survival rate.

According to research, the safest seats on the plane are in the rear. This area has a 69% survival rate, compared to 49% at the front. You can also sit near the exit row, so you get out easily in case of a fire. Near the wings of the plane is also a good spot to be in if you want to increase your chance of survival when the plane goes down.

7. Headphones are Not Brand New

Headphones are Not Brand New | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
The headsets may come in a sealed bag, but they are far from brand new. They are simply cleaned and packaged again. You can imagine how many people have used it before and airlines don’t replace them as often. If this is an issue for you, you may need to bring and use your own headphones.

8. Planes are Not That Clean

Planes are Not That Clean | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
It is not just the airplane food that’s may be substandard, there are also other potential health hazards in the plane you should be aware of. Although there is someone who is in charge of doing a superficial pass after every flight, planes are not completely cleaned until they are brought to the hangar. This is only done once a month.

Furthermore, the blankets and pillows are just refolded and placed back in the bin in between flights. That means you could be resting your head on a pillow someone has already drooled on.

9. Planes are Struck by Lightning All the Time

Planes are Struck by Lightning All the Time | Airplane Features | Secrets Flight Attendants Won't Tell You
Lightning can strike a plane more often than we might expect it, but the energy doesn’t travel through the cabin and electrocute the passengers. It is discharged through the airplane’s aluminum skin. There can be instances of minor damages on the plane’s electrical system, but it leaves little to no evidence at all. That means you can relax and stay calm. You are still safe.

Want to know more airplane features? Watch this video from Be Amazed and find out the things you might not know about modern aircraft!

According to research, riding a car is far more dangerous than traveling by plane. Still, flying is one of those things that terrify most of us. That’s why it’s a good thing to ask, be curious, and try to understand some of the airplane features inside an airplane cabin, especially if you travel frequently. However, knowing these things may either make you feel safer or make you feel frantic. Remember though that as a prepper, we need to always arm ourselves with knowledge. After all, knowledge is vital to survival.

Do you know other airplane features and airline secrets? We would like to about them. Share them with us in the comments below!

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