On a typical day, over 100,000 flights take off around the world. This is even more remarkable when you consider the complex nature of air travel. It takes careful coordination among many people, including pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, aircraft cleaners, baggage handlers, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and others to get each flight off the ground. This is perhaps one reason why many people find airplanes so fascinating. If you're one of them, you'll be interested to know that modern airlines have many subtle features that often go unnoticed and are designed to keep passengers and crew comfortable and safe during a flight. Have you ever noticed these 8 hidden features of airplane cabins?
Beyond your seat: here are the airplane features you didn't know about…
Source: Gerrie van der Walt/Unsplash
Hidden sleeping quarters for crew
Commercial airplanes these days can travel farther than ever before. The world's longest flight is now over 19 hours, flying from New York to Singapore. Just like passengers who may sleep during the flight, pilots and flight attendants also need to rest on these long journeys. But where exactly do they take breaks? On many planes, what looks like a bathroom door in the back galley actually hides an entrance to a staircase that leads to a secret crew rest area with bunks.
As the Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific explains, flight crews are required to rest for at least 3 hours when the flight is 14 hours or longer (and even longer for the ultra-long flights). These crew bunks are usually cramped, with a low ceiling and a narrow aisle separating up to 10 bunks that are very close together. Crews take turns sleeping during the flight and they have to be very quiet – they'll usually set their phones to vibrate when it's time to return to the cabin and resume their duties.
Armrest controls in the aisles
It's not just the cramped crew bunks – the typical economy-class seat is only 17 to 18 inches wide. If you're sitting by the window, you can lean against it to get a little extra space. And if you're in the middle seat, you can raise the armrest between you and your neighbor (as long as you know them). But most people think the armrests on the aisle are fixed in place, which isn't true.
There's a small hidden button under the armrest closest to the aisle that lets you lift it up to the back of your seat. This is really handy for getting in and out of your seat. But it was actually designed with safety in mind – it allows passengers to reach the exits faster in an emergency.
Triangles above some windows
If you're the type of person who pays close attention to details, you may have seen small triangle stickers on the cabin wall above some of the windows. According to Captain Joe, who has his own YouTube channel where he talks about being an airline pilot, these stickers show which windows offer the best view of the wings. If the flight crew needs to look outside for safety purposes, they know which windows to use.
Small holes in the windows
The airplane windows you see have a tiny hole near the bottom. Don't worry, this is normal and serves an important safety purpose. Airplane windows are made up of 3 layers, and the holes are only in the middle layer, not all the way through to the outside. These holes are designed to help balance the pressure difference between the air outside at 30,000 feet and the pressurized air inside the cabin. This helps maintain a comfortable environment for passengers. These holes are often referred to as "breather holes" or "bleed holes."
Source: jcomp/Freepik
Bathroom locks on the outside
Everyone recognizes the lock inside airplane bathroom stalls, but did you know that it can also be unlocked from the outside? This hidden feature is designed for flight attendants to unlock the lavatory door during an emergency when the crew might need quick access to the bathroom. It may also be necessary if a passenger requires help while in the bathroom or if a child is unable to unlock the door themselves. To find the lock, simply flip up the "lavatory" sign on the outside of the door.
A hidden handrail built-in
It's important to stay seated with your seatbelt on, but if you ever need to get up during turbulence, there's a hidden feature you can use. Instead of grabbing other seats and bothering other passengers to get back to your seat, just reach up to the ceiling. You'll find a handrail along the bottom of the overhead storage compartment that you can use to steady yourself. Flight attendants often use this to help them walk through the cabin, so you can follow their example.
Unique tray tables
You might not give much thought to the aircraft tray table. When it's upright, you can release it by moving the latch in either direction and then you have a surface for your in-flight meal or to work on your laptop. However, not all tray tables are alike. According to Swiss International Airlines, in the emergency exit rows, the tray table latches only open in one direction. This is to prevent passengers from accidentally releasing the tray table during an emergency when a quick evacuation through the window exits may be necessary.
Windows that can actually open
Airplane windows have one more interesting feature – some of them can actually open to the outside. However, passengers can't access these openable windows. The only windows that open are the ones in the flight deck where the pilots sit. This is for safety reasons so the pilots can quickly get out in an emergency. But the openable windows can also be useful in other situations. For example, a pilot might open a window to wave at ground staff if their headset isn't working or just to get some fresh air while the plane is at the gate between flights. The windows open wide enough for pilots to even climb out of the cockpit through them if needed.
No more parking lot confusion: find your perfect spot with ParkingNearAirports.io!
Source: Xinyi W./Unsplash
While you're settling into your seat, navigating airport logistics can add stress to your trip. Finding cheap airport parking can be a true challenge, especially at busy airports. Thankfully, our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, can help you find special airport parking coupons and the best airport parking deals for convenient off-site parking, saving you money and time on your next journey.
Why consider off-site airport parking?
- Skip the on-site hassle. Forget circling endlessly for a spot or paying exorbitant hourly rates for on-site parking. With our platform, you can compare rates and book affordable parking options near your chosen airport. Whether you're looking for covered parking, valet service, or a shuttle to the terminal, we have a variety of options to suit your needs and budget.
- Peace of mind with every reservation. Enjoy a stress-free start to your trip knowing your car is safe and secure in a reputable off-site lot. Many of our partner parking facilities offer 24/7 security and on-demand shuttle services to get you to your terminal quickly.
So book your parking with confidence using ParkingNearAirports.io and spend less time worrying about your car and more time focusing on your exciting adventure!
