When we get on a plane, we have two simple goals: get some rest and land safely at our desired destination. Rarely does anyone really enjoy flying, as there is less room for luxurious travel, and the contribution below can make your next flight a little more interesting.
Namely, there are a number of functions hidden on airplanes that passengers mostly don't even know about, but sometimes we wonder what the individual buttons and openings are for.
Coffered ceiling
Are you annoyed when people aggressively cling to your chair on the way to the bathroom? You will soon realize that it is almost impossible to get around otherwise. But be careful, maybe you noticed the flight attendants lightly touching the ceiling while walking around the central area? The reason is the serrated ceiling, which provides a better grip when walking.
Photo: Unsplash/Mohammad ArrahmanurSleeping area
You may not have known, but some aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and 787 have secret compartments that allow the crew to get some rest after a long and tiring flight. A long-haul flight is quite demanding, so pilots and flight attendants on longer flights often take a short rest.
Bumps on the skirt
Have you noticed the hooks on the wings of an Airbus plane while looking out the window? The yellow bumps with holes on the smooth white surface may look silly at first, but they are actually meant to aid walking in the event of a water landing. With their help, when landing on the water, passengers can more easily get to the inflatable slide without falling.
Photo: Unsplash/Nils NedelA hole in the glass
You can often see a small hole at the bottom of airplane windows. It serves as protection against a drop in pressure when flying at high altitude. When the plane takes off, the external pressure drops, while the cabin remains comfortable for users. In this way, a large difference in pressure is created between the cabin and the outside air, and the outside window bears most of this pressure. A hole in the middle glass helps to balance this difference.
Ashtrays in the toilet
Ashtrays in the lavatory do look odd, even on older planes. Smoking is no longer allowed, but in spite of this, ashtrays are still installed in new planes. For what? If the smoker breaks the rule, he can still throw his cigarette in the ashtray instead of in the trash, which could cause a fire and endanger other passengers.
Photo: Unsplash/Martin TiToilet door knob
It is also possible to unlock the toilet door on the plane from the outside. Even if you lock yourself in the toilet, the flight attendant still has the option to open the door in an emergency. A small unlock button is located next to the "toilet" sign.
