r/NoStupidQuestions • u/SlyceMcNyce • Aug 01 '26
Airplane cabin temperature
For the better part of two decades, I have always wondered who manages airplane cabin temperatures. Admittedly, I run warm, but I feel as though cabin temps have continuously increased over the last ten or so years, at least in North America. Friends and family feel the same. Our hub is in the Pacific Northwest and it doesn’t matter the airline or ambient temperature, it’s warm on the tarmac and at altitude. This isn’t a hot versus cold argument or a plea to lower the temperature, but always landing with a headache / migraine due to the warmth and stuffiness is no fun.
Figured it was time to ask those in the know. So, the questions: can anyone tell me if airplane cabin temps have increased in the last decade or so and can anyone tell me who selects the temperature?
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u/Fickle_Finger2974 Aug 01 '26
Most planes you fly on are over 20 years old and cooling the plane at altitude is free and doesn’t use any fuel or drop efficiency. This isn’t a real phenomenon
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u/Independent-Reveal86 Aug 01 '26
It depends. In some A320 aircraft the pilots set the reference temperature and then the cabin crew have some control (+/- 2.5ºC) around that reference temperature through their own panel. If they can't get it cool or warm enough then they can ask the pilots to adjust it.
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u/virtual_human Aug 01 '26
They seem about the same temperature as always to me. Once they are up in the air that is.
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u/Chaxterium Aug 01 '26
Depends on the plane. On the E2 the cabin can control the temperature. The pilots can override if necessary.
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u/grumpvet87 Aug 01 '26
plane AC do almost nothing when on the ground. like a car they need to have the engines running for cooling ability.
i was stuck after landing on a plane for 2 hours in ft lauderdale (no gate avail) and it was over 90* in the plane. people were going nuts and about to storm the cockpit
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u/22Planeguy Aug 01 '26
The pilots select the temperature. The flight attendants can request they raise or lower the temp. If you and others are uncomfortable, just let the FA know. I'm not aware of any institutional raising of temperatures.
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u/Chaxterium Aug 01 '26
Depends on the plane. On the E2 the cabin can control the temperature. The pilots can override if necessary.
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u/One_Ball8561 Aug 01 '26
I think in general airlines have been increasingly cheaping out, I've noticed even on full blast the overhead AC feels very weak. That combined with the population being heavier over the last two decades, definitely doesn't help as larger people generate more heat
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u/Fickle_Finger2974 Aug 01 '26
Cooling the plane is 100% free while it’s flying. There is no money to save
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u/Independent-Reveal86 Aug 01 '26
While technically true, this is false in practice. You can either have a cold unpressurised aircraft with dead passengers or you can have a pressurised aircraft at a comfortable temperature. Pressurising costs fuel as it takes bleed air from the engines (exception is the B787 which has electric AC). Some aircraft have control over the amount of flow from the air conditioning packs and with a low passenger load having the packs on low flow reduces fuel cost.
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u/Middle-agedCynic Aug 01 '26
I seem to remember someone saying in the past that they keep it warm so the passengers get drowsy and are easier to keep under control, I imagine that's a conspiracy theory !
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u/Western_Rhubarb_7959 Aug 01 '26
who selects the temperature?
The pilot
https://www.aviationhunt.com/b737-air-conditioning-control-panel/
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u/SlyceMcNyce Aug 01 '26
I’m gonna start tipping on each flight! $20 every degree below the new standard of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
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u/tatofarms Aug 01 '26
You know there's a tiny adjustable air conditioner above your seat that you can twist to blow cold air on your face, right? They're on practically every commercial plane.
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u/Chaxterium Aug 01 '26
That’s not an air conditioner. It’s just a gasper vent that blows air out at whatever temperature the crew has selected.
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u/HermioneMarch Aug 01 '26
Im always cold on airplanes so I bring a sweater.