What Everyone Gets Wrong About Planes

Most plane doors aren't locked and have no keys, sensors, or passcodes. Despite this, these doors are virtually never opened in flight even though anyone could pull the lever.

The difference in air pressure between the pressurized cabin and the low-pressure exterior is so great that no one is strong enough to pull the door inward at altitude.

• Modern plane doors are shaped like plugs—wider on the inside than the outside • The higher pressure inside the cabin pushes the door into its frame, creating an airtight seal • Opening a Boeing 737 door would require a force equivalent to lifting 9,000 kilograms

In May 2023, a passenger managed to open an Airbus emergency exit during final approach when pressure differential was minimal and very close to the ground.

Commercial planes typically fly between 30,000 and 43,000 feet, with 38,000 feet being common for many aircraft.

• Air density at 33,000 feet is only one-third of sea level, allowing planes to fly 73% faster for the same thrust • Higher altitudes mean less time in the air, reducing fuel consumption • Jet engines are more efficient in colder air—altitude temperatures around minus 50 degrees Celsius improve combustion efficiency

Flying high provides a smoother ride by avoiding most weather and turbulence that occurs in the lower troposphere.

Planes take advantage of jet stream tailwinds at higher altitudes, which further reduces fuel consumption and costs.

At 10 kilometers altitude, air pressure is only a quarter of sea level, and the partial pressure of oxygen is too low for human survival. Remaining conscious at Mount Everest's altitude would only last about three minutes.

Air is continuously drawn from the jet engine compression stage into the cabin to maintain breathable oxygen levels of at least 16 kilopascals.

• Planes are pressurized to only 77 kilopascals (about 75% of sea level), not the full 101.3 kilopascals used on the International Space Station • Lower pressurization minimizes stress on the fuselage and extends aircraft lifespan • The practice prevents fatigue and cracking from repeated pressure cycling during each flight

The 1988 Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experienced explosive decompression when its fuselage cracked after nearly 90,000 flight cycles, far exceeding design limits.

• In 1961, the FAA found that some FM radios could interfere with plane navigation systems using neighboring radio bands • Out of caution, the FAA banned almost all personal electronics on flights • In 1991, the FCC banned cell phone use, fearing 200 phones traveling at 800 kilometers per hour could overload ground tower infrastructure

A plane is essentially a Faraday cage that blocks electromagnetic signals. Phone signals can only escape through windows, traveling horizontally and long distances before reaching ground towers that are angled downward.

• Phones could only disrupt ground networks during takeoff or landing when flying low • The FCC never tested if phones actually caused disruption • As far as is known, a mobile phone has never caused an air accident • The main effect of airplane mode is saving battery life

The EU no longer requires airplane mode and is pushing airlines to provide 5G service on all EU flights, suggesting the regulation may eventually become obsolete.

The air pumped into cabins is extremely dry, with relative humidity as low as 5% compared to 25% in the Sahara Desert. This dries nasal passages, hindering smell and therefore taste perception.

Lower cabin pressure decreases the intensity of sensations like salt and sugar, making food taste blander than on the ground.

• A German survey found that over 25% of flyers order tomato juice in flight • 23% of those people would never drink it on the ground • Bloody Mary was rarely ordered compared to other drinks

A 2015 study suggests loud cabin noise stimulates the chorda tympani nerve, producing an audio illusion that boosts umami taste perception—the savory flavor found in tomatoes, MSG, and soy sauce.

Aviation is safe because hundreds of professionals dig deep into accidents and incidents, learning from them so every flight becomes incrementally safer.

• Media tends to prioritize sensationalized headlines over key details • The 1960s media frenzy about airplane mode contributed to the regulation persisting • A 2023 study about climate change and turbulence was barely reported by media, eclipsed by other events

News outlets present conflicting narratives—some argue climate change makes flying more dangerous while others dismiss the study, highlighting the importance of checking multiple sources.

The more people understand about aviation systems and safety protocols, the safer they will feel when flying.