There are a number of things most travelers look for from an airplane: cleanliness, quietness, and some measure of certainty that the vessel propelling them through the skies is airtight. However, while betting on a lack of visible grime and crying babies is always a crapshoot, those little holes in the plane’s windows can make even the most intrepid traveler more than a little nervous. So, why are they there, anyway?
While, from the inside, a plane’s windows may seem to have just an interior and exterior pane, there are actually three panes between you and the icy-cold air at 30,000 feet. There’s the pane closest to you, informally known as the scratch pane, then the middle pane, which contains the so-called “bleed hole” or “breather hole,” and, on the plane’s exterior, there’s a third pane.
When your plane hits cruising altitude, the difference between the pressurized cabin and the low-pressure air outside is pretty significant—potentially enough to break a window, in fact. However, the use of the bleed hole helps regulate the pressure between the window panes, keeping them stable, despite the disparity between the plane’s internal and external pressure. As such, the bulk of the pressure is then applied to the window’s outer pane. While this may seem risky, it actually ensures that, should the exterior window crack, the two interior panes can still keep you safe from the elements outside.
However, that’s not the only advantage of that little hole. In fact, the bleed hole also helps balance the difference between the plane’s interior and exterior temperatures, reducing condensation and giving passengers a clear view. And if the view is something you don’t mind missing, steal these 10 Best Tricks for Sleeping on an Airplane.
To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to sign up for our FREE daily newsletter!
Filed UnderTrivia
