Why oh why oh why? [Warm cabin]
Mar 15, 2019, 5:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Location: London, UK
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Why oh why oh why? [Warm cabin]
Are BA cabins so warm?? I know it’s not news, and I’ve read many of the previous threads. Taxiing right now on BA 216 and it’s a sauna. I get that on stand it’s APU power and I asked politely if they can keep it down tonight. They explained that they can’t control temperature for about 20 mins after take off! Never heard that on other airlines who don’t broil you through the night. It’s enough to make you fly American!
Mar 15, 2019, 6:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 587
If it’s a 747 then that doesn’t sound too far off. The temperature on the ground is always a challenge to control, and it takes a little while after departure to get it to come down. Though even saying that the 74 is a nightmare to keep at the right temp at the best of times, even whilst airborne.
Mar 16, 2019, 1:20 am
#7
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I think temperature preferences vary a lot and what’s freezing for one is just right for another whilst what is a sauna for one is just comfortable for someone else.
i’ve caught colds on many a ba flight including the cold I’m having right now. And no, it’s not easy to keep warm with those small and thin blankets even wearing a warm pyjama and a jumper...
in short, I don’t recognise ba planes as being abnormally warm (jl planes are the ones too warm for me but I suspect many Japanese passengers consider them just right. Conversely, I freeze on your typical aa flight but many Americans love it...)
i’ve caught colds on many a ba flight including the cold I’m having right now. And no, it’s not easy to keep warm with those small and thin blankets even wearing a warm pyjama and a jumper...
in short, I don’t recognise ba planes as being abnormally warm (jl planes are the ones too warm for me but I suspect many Japanese passengers consider them just right. Conversely, I freeze on your typical aa flight but many Americans love it...)
Mar 16, 2019, 1:56 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
I think temperature preferences vary a lot and what’s freezing for one is just right for another whilst what is a sauna for one is just comfortable for someone else.
i’ve caught colds on many a ba flight including the cold I’m having right now. And no, it’s not easy to keep warm with those small and thin blankets even wearing a warm pyjama and a jumper...
in short, I don’t recognise ba planes as being abnormally warm (jl planes are the ones too warm for me but I suspect many Japanese passengers consider them just right. Conversely, I freeze on your typical aa flight but many Americans love it...)
i’ve caught colds on many a ba flight including the cold I’m having right now. And no, it’s not easy to keep warm with those small and thin blankets even wearing a warm pyjama and a jumper...
in short, I don’t recognise ba planes as being abnormally warm (jl planes are the ones too warm for me but I suspect many Japanese passengers consider them just right. Conversely, I freeze on your typical aa flight but many Americans love it...)
Mar 16, 2019, 2:31 am
#9
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You can’t win this one. One person is cold - another is too hot. If it’s hot, take something off. If you’re cold ask for a blanket It’s not rocket science 🙄🙄
There’s hot and there’s stuffy. It’s not the same thing.
There’s hot and there’s stuffy. It’s not the same thing.
Mar 16, 2019, 2:34 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: London, UK
Posts: 120
It’s so difficult for the crew to get right. I’ve had many flights where I’m up and down adjusting the temperature as different points of view keeping flooding in. As mentioned above, the B747 is hardly worth adjusting, it just does its own thing!
Mar 16, 2019, 2:45 am
#12
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I do, but there are frequently not enough spares. That was notably the case in my last flight which was completely full and very badly delayed.
And yes, of course, I do realise that you only get a rhinovirus by being exposed to it, but the recycled dry air of an old aircraft cabin makes you exposed and when you are already tired (not something quite inconceivable when you have travelled 16 hours to go somewhere, have spent 48 hours of full work there and are ready for a long haul back which has already been delayed more than 3h30 well into the night), a really cold cabin won't help your body immune system fight back especially when you sleep at night and your body temperature is naturally lower.
And yes, of course, I do realise that you only get a rhinovirus by being exposed to it, but the recycled dry air of an old aircraft cabin makes you exposed and when you are already tired (not something quite inconceivable when you have travelled 16 hours to go somewhere, have spent 48 hours of full work there and are ready for a long haul back which has already been delayed more than 3h30 well into the night), a really cold cabin won't help your body immune system fight back especially when you sleep at night and your body temperature is naturally lower.
Last edited by orbitmic; Mar 16, 2019 at 2:52 am
Mar 16, 2019, 2:59 am
#13
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Mar 16, 2019, 3:04 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
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While not an expert I doubt whether breathing cool air or any small changes in body temperature hamper the role of the immune system. However, I suppose that the close contact any passenger has with their fellow travellers enables easier infection.
Mar 16, 2019, 3:11 am
#15
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I guess aristoph is more used to other aircraft type, this was a 747, and it will be interesting to know whether the following then happened: it's often the case that the temperature on 747s is whacked up on the ground, when the APU is more or less effective. When disengaging from the gate at IAD, the APU power for heating drops off, and the outside temperature in DC would be close to freezing point, maybe a degree or two above. So if you're not careful - and there is a delay / queues in departing IAD - the cabin temperature will drop. If the delay in departure is extended then you'll have the situation of a cabin getting colder and colder, and very little anyone can do about it. Hence whacking up the temperature at departure time. This condition persists on the 747 for quite a few minutes after tale off, and as indicated 20 minutes after take off the full, if clunky, control, of temperature comes back to the crew. So normally you can only start to complain about sauna conditions around 40 minutes after take off, it takes a good 10 minutes after pressing the dials that the impact works through.
I hope the OP comes back with the outcome, but this a common issue with older wide-body aircraft, and in the case of the 747, being a big lady, there really isn't a better solution on the ground. The newer aircraft - any size - are much better in this area.
BA216 left the gate on time yesterday, at 19:27 local, and got to take off at 19:50, so 23 minutes, which is pretty good for IAD. The OP posted at 19:45 local.
I hope the OP comes back with the outcome, but this a common issue with older wide-body aircraft, and in the case of the 747, being a big lady, there really isn't a better solution on the ground. The newer aircraft - any size - are much better in this area.
BA216 left the gate on time yesterday, at 19:27 local, and got to take off at 19:50, so 23 minutes, which is pretty good for IAD. The OP posted at 19:45 local.