It's freezing on the plane... There's a reason why "airplane air conditioning is so cold"!

▲ Airplane temperatures are kept low, and smart travelers often dress in layers. (Illustration / Photo by reporter Peng Huaiyu, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Frequent flyers, have you noticed that it’s usually especially cold on airplanes? On long-haul flights, you almost need to wear a jacket or ask a flight attendant for a blanket just to sleep. Smart travelers often dress in layers, but do you know why the cabin temperature is set so low?

Foreign mediareports that setting the cabin air conditioning to a lower temperature is based on science. According to a study published by the American Society for Testing and Materials,hypoxia is one of the most common conditions among passengers. Because human tissues are more prone to oxygen deprivation on an airplane than on the ground, fainting is more likely to occur, and high cabin pressure can even trigger this reaction. If the cabin temperature is higher, the probability of passengers fainting also increases.

▲ The study shows that when cabin temperatures are higher, the likelihood of passengers fainting also increases. Rather than having passengers feel too cold, airlines also don’t want to risk passengers possibly fainting.

The study explains that because everyone’s body temperature is different, airlines would rather have passengers feel a bit cold than risk the possibility of someone fainting.

If you’re on a newer plane, this problem is less likely to occur. According to retired Delta Air Lines captain Paul Eschenfelder, newer aircraft are equipped with advanced temperature regulators that can adjust cabin temperature precisely by row, making the ride much more comfortable for passengers.

Therefore, the best advice is to dress in layers — wear a thin, comfortable, and breathable outer jacket, so you won’t have to worry even if the airplane blankets run out.