7 ON-BOARD AIRPLANE TRIVIA

7 ON-BOARD AIRPLANE TRIVIA

Here are 7 on-board aircraft trivia to tickle your mind for those whose profession requires you to constantly shuttle around either in short or long haul, numbing you to the on board experience. Perhaps these will play in your mind the next time you board a flight for business and can be information for those who travels not as frequent or for leisure!

TRIVIA 1 – Why does the window shades have to be up during takeoff and landing?

Does it annoy you when having board the plane, and in preparation for takeoff or landing the steward or stewardess ask you to put the window shades up? Especially during landing when all you want to do in the world is sleep!

Fact:The window shades are required to be up during takeoff and landing for safety purposes. In accordance with aviation rules and regulations, in case of an emergency, the cabin crew or passenger is able to spot the danger outside of the aircraft through the windows. Helping with quick action and information to the Captain and co-pilot who is at the cockpit, they might not detect as fast. Also you might never know what views will greet you outside…..

TRIVIA 2 – Why does the seat belt sign still switched on after take-off and during flight?

As the flight ascend during take-off and hit 10,000 feet in the air. Many passengers can’t wait for the seat belt sign to turn off so that they can stand, stretch, or just unbuckle the seat belt even though they are seating. Seemingly annoyed if the seat belt sign still on.

Part of the pilot’s responsibility is also to ensure the safety within the cabin for the duration of the flight. When the pilots have a reading of traversing through turbulence or air pockets, they will keep the seat belt sign switched on. Especially on long-haul flights, where passengers tend to fall asleep without putting on their seatbelt and in the midst of slumber get rudely awakened by bad turbulence or an air pocket drop. Sometimes it can cause a fatal injury if you don’t adhere to the rules.

Better to be safe than sorry. You would not want to exit the cabin limping or in pain upon disembarkation.

TRIVIA 3 – Is there any difference buying duty free onboard comparing to the duty free in airports?

Well this is a pretty tricky question and which will make travellers stop and think …. well yeah are they different? After speaking with a few frequent flyers and senior stewards and stewardesses who have worked long enough in this industry, there is not much of a difference in terms of savings, the pro’s and con’s which matters! There is quite a few factors which comes into play when comparing duty free items and prices. The factors ranges from items purchased from which country, airports, depending on which airlines, currencies at the time of purchase (could be a side factor), promotions, limited edition items ….etc.

But I think there is a general agreement that many are happy with on board duty free. Sometimes business travellers find themselves in the case of ” oh no! I forgot to purchase gifts for so and so”. That is when duty free onboard comes to the rescue. Other factors come into play. You might have a short transit time to catch a connecting flight leaving you with little or no option but to purchase onboard or perhaps your destination’s airport could be a smaller airport.

Another perk enjoyed by frequent flyers members for buying duty free onboard is that they earn more points comparing to purchasing at the airport. Different airlines has different frequent flying miles rewards system. You can even go online to pre-purchase the duty-free items with the airlines you will travel in and collect them while on board. Technology in this aspect does play a much more vital role.

TRIVIA 4 – Why can’t we take “things” from aircraft when disembarking?

What are these things you can’t take …… items such as life jackets which are under the seats, infant seat belts, pillows, blankets and actually on board magazines too. But do you know that taking down Flight Safety information cards and air sickness bags can be labelled as a crime too? But amongst all the lifejacket is the most important and crucial, stealing it upon disembarkation might warrant an arrest and can be charge with possible manslaughter, it entails being fined and imprisonment. As it is a floatation device meant to safe life.

Example:If there is an emergency during one of the flights, where you have just STOLE a life jacket. Unfortunately on that day, a ground employee or the person in charge of checking have missed that seat you stoled from. It could cost that passengers life. Because everyone else will have a life jacket except this unfortunate passenger! Hence the next time you mischievously think of removing something like this. DON’T !!

TRIVIA 5 – Why does food and drinks taste differently onboard?

Actually many have wondered why but never really bother to delve deeper into it. Some personal friends do actually really enjoy “aircraft food” as they put it. They look forward to fly and dine at 35,000 feet! Who are we to judge? But yes, the general agreement is food does not have the same taste as when on ground. So why is it so?

Mostly it is related with the cabin pressure, the humidity level of the cabin air at 35,000 feet, some even says due to the sound in an aircraft during flight (85 decibels) and of course the way food is prepared for inflight meals plays a role as well.

Fun Facts:
– At 30,000 feet humidity is less that 12%.
– Due to the dryness of the air it affects your nasal and taste buds as well, for they become a little more dryer causing the food and drinks you consume to taste differently.
– Despite that our sense of taste gets affected, the newly discovered fifth taste – umami is unaffected at this height. (derived from the Japanese which means pleasant savory taste)
– Tomato juice and Bloody mary’s taste way more better on board due to its umami base. Passengers tend to order more on board than they would usually on ground.
– There are NO Microwave on board. Due to safety reasons, only convection oven to heat up the meals which are partially cooked on ground. Convection oven’s heat are slightly more drier.

Well we do not want to be exploding in mid-flight from using a microwave now do we?

TRIVIA 6 – Why are there no male or female lavatories on board?

Due to the limited space in an aircraft. Hence there is only Unisex toilet. Having more toilets meaning they would have to have lesser seats and galley areas. How would you control the ratio of gender on a particular flight? If you were to have gender based lavatories.

ANA is the first Passenger Airlines to have one reserved Female Only Lavatory. Taking into consideration on request from passengers. Launched back in the year 2010.

TRIVIA 7 – Why can’t you use the lavatories when the seatbelt signs are on?

Safety is always the main factor and this has always been debated. It is during the taxing and awaiting take off, after takeoff when the pilots are climbing to the right altitude, during landing time and taxing to the gate (some airports have longer runways). These are the few periods you definitely cannot use the lavatory. But we understand, that when nature suddenly calls unrelentingly, when the plane is quiet and everyone is seated, making you feel like unbuckling and heading to the lavatory. Don’t do it!

But what if during the entire duration of flight the seat belt signs are on? Especially on long-haul flights. Are we to hold it in for the next 10-13 hours?

Of course not! But the seat belt signs comes on for a reason, it is the weather! The Captain knows you will be traveling through rough weather which can cause mild to severe turbulence. That is when you notice the seat belt signs are switched on. If you need to head to the toilet, please don’t ask permission from the steward/stewardess, they cannot and in most cases will not acknowledge a “yes” to you. It would be a fault on their part should something happens to you. The scenario is if you ask, the steward/stewardess will inform you that the seatbelt sign is still on, if you cannot wait and its an emergency just be careful on your account and head up to use the lavatory. Usually you will be able to decide for yourself if you are up for it, because you would not want to mess with a bad turbulence or an air pocket for that matter! Hence now you know the why. Take note this is only during the “cruising” period.

Suffice to say to ensure you have a great flight and not be marred by disgruntlement over a lavatory issue. Make sure you head to the toilet at the gate area, right before boarding time. As for preparations before landing, the Captain will always announce once approaching the flight destination, this is the time to use the lavatory…..although many others have the same idea. Do hope this advice helps for your next flight! We all need to be reminded now and then.

7 Reasons, 7 Things, 7 Trivia, airlines, Rules and Regulations