Extremely cold 737-900 cabin | Known issue?
Aug 17, 2017, 7:50 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tahoe
Programs: Delta DM for now
Posts: 474
I would take bitterly cold any day over the usual, but I also complain its too hot out when it's 75 and sunny. Most flights I'm on range from barely tolerable to uncomfortably warm, no matter where I'm sitting.
Aug 17, 2017, 9:52 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Aug 18, 2017, 2:21 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, VS Au, BA Mauve
Posts: 111
I usually make sure to bring a jacket or sweater. It's bitterly cold in the window seat next to an emergency exit, so I make sure to avoid. Although I have no evidence to support my claim, I've always felt that the FAs liked to keep it colder because they're more active than the passengers.
Others of a more delicate nature would have froze!
Aug 19, 2017, 3:30 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 515
Funny this comes up as I just had one of the coldest flight experiences I've ever had a few days ago as well flying FLL-ATL. I rarely get cold on flights, even in exit rows (which this was, though an aisle) but I was absolutely shivering for the entirety of the flight and fog was coming out of the vents, even at altitude. I was never so happy to be blasted by Atlanta's oppressive heat as I was stepping off that plane.
Of course, I would prefer cabins be too warm than too cold, which I imagine is a minority opinion but that flight was unbearable.
Of course, I would prefer cabins be too warm than too cold, which I imagine is a minority opinion but that flight was unbearable.
Aug 27, 2017, 12:13 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: BUR, LAX, PHX
Posts: 38
Aug 28, 2017, 12:43 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
Pilots (myself included) want passengers comfortable. Since the 737 temp controls are up front, I think it's reasonable to keep asking FAs to forward requests to the flight deck. We can't make changes without knowing which direction to turn the knobs!
Aug 29, 2017, 7:45 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
On the flight I complained about in the OP, we asked multiple times. And the flight attendant told us he'd asked "7-8 times". In spite of that it never warmed up. Any suggestions for future such events would be appreciated.
Aug 30, 2017, 6:12 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 148
The fact that the control for the plane is a knob shows just how antiquated these machines are. Is it that hard for airplanes these days to design a digital system, perhaps that keeps all zones around 72 degrees? You would think airlines would want a more stable system than relying on complaining guest to dictate when to turn up down heat.
Last edited by Halloweverybody; Aug 30, 2017 at 8:24 am
Aug 30, 2017, 6:43 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: DL: PM, Marriott: Gold, Hilton: Gold
Posts: 62
This will sound harsher than I actually mean it but if you regularly (or even occasionally) find yourself cold on a plane, I would encourage carrying a sweater or other lightweight cover when you travel. If you are cold, and they raise the temperature of the cabin to make you comfortable I can assure you there will be many, many others on that plane who will then be so warm it makes them uncomfortable. Since the folks that are warm can't remove clothing, those that are cold in the same relative temperature will have to add a layer to keep themselves warm. It is absolutely not possible to maintain a temperature that everyone is comfortable with and expecting that is kind of unrealistic.
Aug 30, 2017, 8:24 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 148
I think the problem is bigger than that! I ALWAYS take out a sweatshirt to bring to my seat, and Always wear pants when I am not in D1. On thursday I was on a 737 last row of first, with a blanket, and a sweatshirt. and still freezing. Do we need to start packing winter jackets?
Aug 30, 2017, 2:42 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
The fact that the control for the plane is a knob shows just how antiquated these machines are. Is it that hard for airplanes these days to design a digital system, perhaps that keeps all zones around 72 degrees? You would think airlines would want a more stable system than relying on complaining guest to dictate when to turn up down heat.
What Boeing should do is give FAs control over cabin temps from their panels. Airbus, I think, and Bombardier with the C Series, give FAs about 4 degrees of temp control from what is set from the flight deck.
Last edited by DeltaWhiskey; Aug 30, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Aug 30, 2017, 2:45 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
The 737 will be a Fleet staple for decades to come so my only suggestion is to layer as has been suggested. Beyond that, Boeing needs to stick it Southwest and politely tell them they are going to bring the 737 up today's technological cockpit standard. Only then will we see a significant improvement in cabin temp control.
Aug 30, 2017, 5:26 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
It is entirely possible that the same temp that you consider a sauna is the same temp that the OP considers "bitterly cold" given my experience. I've always felt that in a confined space situation the temp should be determined by whoever feels the hottest. You can always add layers if you're cold. You can't always take them off if you're hot.
Aug 30, 2017, 8:49 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
This will sound harsher than I actually mean it but if you regularly (or even occasionally) find yourself cold on a plane, I would encourage carrying a sweater or other lightweight cover when you travel. If you are cold, and they raise the temperature of the cabin to make you comfortable I can assure you there will be many, many others on that plane who will then be so warm it makes them uncomfortable. Since the folks that are warm can't remove clothing, those that are cold in the same relative temperature will have to add a layer to keep themselves warm. It is absolutely not possible to maintain a temperature that everyone is comfortable with and expecting that is kind of unrealistic.