Sweating or shivering on the plane? Now there's an app for that

By Bloomberg News, August 2 2018
Sweating or shivering on the plane? Now there's an app for that

Tired of shivering or sweltering through your flights? 

A new phone app from the Association of Flight Attendants will allow you to report uncomfortably high or low temperatures to the trade group directly from your seat on the plane – no awkward in-flight conversation necessary.

Available free to passengers and crews, the AFA’s 2Hot2Cold mobile phone application is part of a broader effort to introduce operational standards for cabin climate control. By documenting problems, the AFA hopes to gather data in support of a petition it filed earlier this month asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to require that airlines maintain a cabin temperature range of 18 to 24 Celsius (about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

While excessive heat or cold can certainly make a flight miserable, extreme temperatures can also be dangerous for passengers and crew, causing fatigue and dizziness, among other ailments, the AFA says.

These health hazards can delay responses to emergencies on board, disrupt the airline’s operations and ultimately create a “ripple effect” of problems, AFA President Sara Nelson said in an interview.

The AFA first got the idea for an in-flight reporting app a year ago when an infant overheated and became non-responsive inside a hot plane stuck on the runway in Denver.

They’ve also handed out key-chain thermometers to all AFA members as part of the effort.

“When we talk to flight attendants and we say, ‘Have you experienced this, an extreme temperature event?’ Every single hand goes up,” Nelson said.

“And when you talk to passengers who have flown more than once, they can tell you that they’ve experienced issues with temperature on board.”

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Oct 2016

Total posts 37

This will annoy all the airlines that sell blankets onboard their aircraft after intentionally pumping the AC.

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

16 Jun 2017

Total posts 35

Dont need the app. I have been asked a couple of times on SIA " is the cabin temperature to your liking sir"

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Jan 2015

Total posts 584

gotta remember this is yet another US centric bloomberg article and therefore only considers their own crappy airlines as a basis for their discussions

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Aug 2014

Total posts 216

...followed by a "No? Shall I get you a warm blanket / cold refreshment?"

They're hardly going to adjust the plane's climate based on your response.
DGP
DGP

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Jan 2012

Total posts 172

I always find it too hot and end up kicking the blankets off.


21 Oct 2015

Total posts 26

JAL is the worst culprit of steaming hot planes. I bring shorts, fans, and anything I can when I fly them. It really is the only bad spot on a usually awesome travel experience.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

09 Aug 2016

Total posts 38

Lufthansa. Constantly stifling

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Aug 2014

Total posts 157

I've never felt cold on a plane. I never use the blankets. The cabin temp is more often than not, too hot. Asian based airlines run warmer cabin temps in my experience.

15 Nov 2016

Total posts 18

Exactly right! I always carry a USB fan with me. But more annoying than the carriers who set the temp to 24c are the airlines such as United that increase the cabin temp when they want PAX to sleep...

Flew first class with Emirates SYD-BKK and I started sweating with blankets on. Their pjs are thick enough so need for blankets.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Oct 2013

Total posts 113

Me too those moisturising pjs and the heat in first had me swimming certainly no need for blanket too

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

26 Nov 2017

Total posts 16

I never use the PJ's, always switch into shorts and t-shirt. Most flights are too hot these days, uncomfortably so. Makes it essential to keep the liquids up!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

22 Jul 2015

Total posts 219

Once or twice on the main deck on a QF 380. Now the cabin at the rear is like goldilocks. Just right. The middle cabin. Oh boy. Bring your thermals. This also happened on a EK flight so wondering if it's just the way the Airbus is designed. QF 9 to London was very comfortable recently.


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