Why are air vents closed?
Jul 15, 2019, 2:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Why are air vents closed?
When you get on the plane, the overhead air vents always seem to be closed. I asked the FA why that was and she didn’t know. She also commented she would be surprised if the cleaning crew did it since they have so little time on board. So why are they closed and who closed them all?
Jul 15, 2019, 3:31 am
#7
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Jul 15, 2019, 3:32 am
#8
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Some passengers hate them though. I well recall (not on BA) an incident when an older Italian woman decided to turn off my vent without asking, because it was destroying (her words) her hair style. When I asked her why she didn't ask first, she said that no English people speak Italian!
Jul 15, 2019, 3:44 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
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I tend to turn them on when on the ground as it is hot and then off post takeoff when the ac packs are turned back on.
I see others doing the same.
I mostly fly short haul. Large long haul planes may have an ac cart to cool the plane which would render the extra ventilation unneccessary. .
I see others doing the same.
I mostly fly short haul. Large long haul planes may have an ac cart to cool the plane which would render the extra ventilation unneccessary. .
Jul 15, 2019, 3:46 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
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Yes. I hate planes that don't have them. Even if I close it later, I find if for whatever reason I might be feeling unwell having the blast of air on my face/head, helps me feel better. Definitely needed if I get stuck in a middle seat!!
Jul 15, 2019, 4:14 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2012
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It’s definitely not crew or cleaners turning them off! The temperature in the cabin tends to drop during descent so many people will turn them off.
Frustratingly on the Embraer the main source of fresh air into the toilets seems to be from the gasper vent and it gets smelly quite quickly if someone turns it off (usually the perpetrator is the same person as the one who made it smell bad in the first place!)
Frustratingly on the Embraer the main source of fresh air into the toilets seems to be from the gasper vent and it gets smelly quite quickly if someone turns it off (usually the perpetrator is the same person as the one who made it smell bad in the first place!)
Jul 15, 2019, 5:33 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
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As above, I know I will often use them on the ground while the aircraft temperature usually climbs but then turn them off during the flight as the climate control cools things down in general. Don't recall being stuck on the plane at destination for long enough/in such conditions as to need to turn it back on - so it will generally end the flight closed.
Jul 15, 2019, 6:07 am
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London, UK
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I do this in the car too - air conditioning is all very nice to cool down the cabin but absolutely cannot involve any cold air coming directly at me so all vents on my side have to be closed or angled sharply away.