The article discusses five lesser-known features of airplanes that passengers might not be aware of.
1. Small triangles or stickers above windows: These stickers indicate which windows the flight attendants should look through when checking the wings for ice or ensuring the flaps are functioning properly.
2. Hidden sleeping compartments: Many airliners have hidden compartments for the crew to rest, which can be found above the first-class section. These compartments vary in size and design and may include soundproofing, basic conveniences, and entertainment systems.
3. Loops on the wings: Airbus planes have small yellow loops on the wings that serve as attachment points for emergency escape ropes, providing a secure way for passengers to evacuate the plane in case of an emergency.
4. Breather holes in windows: A small hole in each plane window allows for equal air pressure between the cabin and the space between the panes of glass, reducing the risk of window failure.
5. Hidden handrails: Most airliners have hidden handrails running along the overhead compartments, allowing the crew to safely move around the cabin during turbulence.
Additionally, a bonus feature is mentioned: a button to adjust armrests. Passengers sitting in aisle seats can find a small button near the hinge of the armrest, which, when pressed, allows the armrest to be moved, providing more room to move around.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Only four windows on each plane are marked with a rectangular sticker, usually red or black.
2. The stickers are located above the windows and line up with the front and back edges of the aircraft's wings.
3. The stickers are used by flight attendants to know which windows to look through to check the wings for ice or to ensure the flaps are functioning properly.
4. Many airliners feature a hidden compartment where the crew can catch up on some much-needed sleep.
5. The exact placement of the room varies, but the crew's quarters are usually found in a small windowless compartment directly above first class.
6. The size and design of the crew's quarters can vary wildly from airline to airline.
7. Some airlines offer their pilots amenities such as business class seats and even a private bathroom.
8. Airbus planes have a pair of little yellow loops sticking up from the surface of the plane's wing.
9. The loops are used as attachment points for emergency escape ropes.
10. Airliners need to maintain internal pressure for passengers to breathe comfortably at high altitudes.
11. The windows on a plane are made from three panes of glass layered on top of each other.
12. The innermost pane is called the scratch pane and exists mainly to keep passengers from damaging the other two panes.
13. The outer layer bears the bulk of the pressure, with a hole in the middle pane creating a small pocket of air inside the window.
14. The pocket of air equalizes the pressure between the cabin and the space between the panes, reducing the pressure the glass is under.
15. Most airliners flying today feature a handrail running the length of the overhead compartments.
16. The primary function of the handrail is to allow the crew to safely move about the cabin during turbulence.
17. The handrail provides an alternative to grabbing someone else's seat when getting up to use the restroom.
18. If you're in the aisle seat, you can adjust your armrest by pressing a little button near the hinge.
19. Adjusting the armrest gives you more room to move around and is helpful when trying to get your bag from the overhead compartment at the end of your flight.