Plane Too Hot or Cold? A New App Lets You Report Uncomfortable Cabins
Jennifer Billock August 08, 2018
Feeling like the cabin temperature on your plane is just a bit too hot or too cold? Well, now you can report the uncomfortable temperature through an app—one designed to support a petition that was started by flight attendants in an effort to make cabin temperatures more reasonable, thanks to various health concerns related to aircraft cabins.
If you’ve ever been uncomfortable with the temperature inside your plane, you now have an opportunity to report the issue. The Association of Flight Attendants recently launched a new app called 2Hot2Cold that will collect data regarding cabin temperatures on different flights. If you feel too hot or cold, log it into the app.
The goal with the app is to show the need for climate control standards within the air travel industry, and the data will support a petition the association filed in August with the U.S. Department of Transportation advocating for temperature limits of 65 to 75 degrees. Abnormal temperatures inside aircraft cabins—currently they’ve been recorded reaching 99 degrees—can cause a number of health issues, from fatigue and dizziness to loss of consciousness.
Airlines for America, a group that lobbies for the airline industry, doesn’t think such measures are necessary though.
“U.S. airlines work hard to maintain a level of comfort passengers expect on each and every flight, including the temperature of the cabin,” Airlines for America told Airline Geeks. “Flight attendants work together with pilots to request a warming or cooling of the aircraft in accordance with individual company procedures, and any temperature control issues that arise are immediately dealt with on a case-by-case basis with the maintenance teams at each airline.”
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The app asks that only airline employees, "authorized users", download and contribute. It looks like it was not designed for PAX...and most don't carry thermometers to get be able to supply an exact temperature. It would be nice if the app had two input types, employees with exact temperatures and a separate input option for PAX where a more subjective scale can be used. I recall a American Eagle flight a few weeks back where the inside of the plane had to be 85-90 degrees. The older gentleman across the aisle was close to passing out and may have, but the crew did not return to the gate.
This is indeed a very subjective area, as someone who likes warmer temperatures I have never been on a plane that I found too warm but plenty that I've found too cold. I'm sure there will be people the polar opposite of this.
... "The passenger in 21-D says it's cold" "Now the guy in 21-D says it's too hot." "Nuts to the man in 21-D." Original Airport film.
If it's one thing we need less of in aviation, it's more rules.. No airline nor pilot intentionally sets the cabin temperature to 99F. After all, the cockpit & cabin are fed by the same HVAC systems and when it's hot in the back of the plane, it's even hotter in the cockpit with the sun bearing down. It's been years, but I was on a United flight where the AC wasn't working well and it was quite uncomfortable inside the aircraft, even in flight. The alternative would have been a diversion which would have lasted many hours.
This is a very subjective area. I see people wrapped up in blankets and jackets when I’m in short sleeve shirts and still feeling warm. I rarely ever feel cold on a plane. The worst is in winter when it’s freezing outside, everyone is wearing winter gear: heavy sweaters, etc, and the cabin is overheated. Flight attendants tend to overreact to temperature requests. Some pax says she’s cold and based on that one comment they jack the cabin temp up 10 degrees instead of tweaking it a couple of degrees to take the chill off. Cold natured people should be prepared for a cool cabin. It’s easier for them to add a sweater or jacket when they get cold. (Or carry a lightweight blanket). If I’m hot and start removing clothes I’ll end up on YouTube.