Measurement of Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality Aboard 43 Flights on Commercial Airlines

Abstract

This paper reports the results of thermal comfort and indoor air quality measurements aboard aircraft from 43 flights on commercial airlines with a duration of more than 1 h. The measurements were performed continuously during the whole flight (from the departure gate to the arrival gate), and the parameters monitored were temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide concentration. The results were then compared with the ASHRAE Standards for the thermal comfort (ASHRAE Standard 55-92) and indoor air quality (ASHRAE Standard 62-89). The evaluation of the indoor air quality was based mainly upon comparison of the carbon dioxide concentrations measured with standards and recommendations for the indoor environment. Overall, the levels of relative humidity were far lower than the limit set by the ASHRAE Standard 55-92. The levels of carbon dioxide on most flights were higher than that recommended by the ASHRAE Standard 62-89. The results of this study, mainly the low level of humidity and high concentrations of carbon dioxide, led us to expect that the crew and the passengers would have been dissatisfied with their degree of thermal comfort and the quality of the air in the cabin. This conclusion is based simply on a comparison of our measurements with the values stated in the ASHRAE Standards. However, we must bear in mind that these were developed for an indoor environment at atmospheric pressure. More research is needed to study the validity of these standards for sub-atmospheric conditions.

The Effect of Flying and Low Humidity on the Admittance of the Tympanic Membrane and Middle Ear System

“…The time course of the humidity during the flight, which was lowest at cruising altitude, was typical of those previously measured (Haghighat et al 1999;Lindgren 2003) and consistent with theoretical predictions (Arnold et al 2000). The minimum humidity of 22.7 % during the flight is higher than many maximum humidity measurements for other flights, such as those by O'Donnell et al (1991), Haghighat et al (1999), Lee et al (1999), andLindgren (2003).…”

“…A contributing factor to the relatively high humidity on the flight in this study may have been the relatively high temperatures, which had a mean of 27.2°C. These temperatures are higher than that found in any aircraft by Haghighat et al (1999) and more than the mean value found by O'Donnell et al (1991). Given that most of the moisture in the cabin is from perspiration of the passengers (O'Donnell et al 1991;Arnold et al 2000) the high temperatures on the flight may have led to relatively higher humidity through greater perspiration.…”

“…The minimum humidity of 22.7 % during the flight is higher than many maximum humidity measurements for other flights, such as those by O'Donnell et al (1991), Haghighat et al (1999), Lee et al (1999), andLindgren (2003). A contributing factor to the relatively high humidity on the flight in this study may have been the relatively high temperatures, which had a mean of 27.2°C.…”

“…Several arguments, however, are given for the low humidity in the aircraft cabin. First, having a relative humidity above 25 % is purportedly precluded by the effects of condensation, corrosion and fatigue of the aircraft structure (Haghighat et al 1999;Grün et al 2012). In terms of condensation, even with very low relative humidity the weight of an aircraft increases by several hundred kilograms at cruise altitude because of cold wall condensation; the provision of higher humidity would increase this weight further.…”

Taking Care in the Air: Jet Air Travel and Passenger Health, a Study of British Overseas Airways Corporation (1940-1974)

“…8 The paper examines the ways in which one pioneer of commercial jet flight, B.O.A.C., responded to the aeromedical implications that the increased size, speed, 4 On which see Bushnell 1960;Gibson and Harrison 1984;Hanrahan 1952Hanrahan , 1958Peyton 1968;and Robinson 1973;and Pascoe 2003;Adey 2010. 5 See Brundrett 2001;Carruthers et al 1976;Haghighat et al 1999;Hinninghofen and Enck 2006;House of Lords 2000Reid et al, 1986Reid et al, , 2006Jacobson 1975, 1976;Strøm-Tejsen et al 2008;Sudoł-Szopińska et al 2007;Whittingham 1953Whittingham , 1955 Coker and Ingram 2006;Cowling et al 2010;Garoon andDuggan 2008. 7 Bissell 2009;Caplan 1995;Erichsen 1867;Ferrari 2010;Harrington 2003;Keller andChappell 1996.Bennett 1928;Desnoes 1926.…”