As a regular traveller, particularly on BA's 747-400 aircraft, I have never understood how the cabin temperature is or can be controlled by cabin staff.

I can imagine that temperature control is a complex issue involing different zones across the cabins, the cost implications of heating incoming fresh air, and the differing perceptions of customers as to what is a comfortable temperature.

Yesterday on BA's overnight flight from Las Vegas to London, several travellers were fanning themselves and dabbing themselves with water despite staff assurances that the temperature control had been turned down several times. Of course there are no individual air vents to enable passengers to direct their own air flows on these BA aircraft. Despite the assurances, the temparature did not decrease until breakfast time - after 8 hours.

Is it possible that the temperature control is managed via an on-board computer system e.g. is it programmed to encourage sleep at night, awakening at breakfast and is it locked so that cabin staff cannot change the temperature ? I really only notice this a problem with BA.

silverfox5678