Sydney Airport Message Board Sydney Airport Message Board  

Go Back   Sydney Airport Message Board > Technical > Flying and Technical Discussion


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26th February 2011, 03:01 PM
Adam.S Adam.S is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Default Mist in cabin??

I was recently onboard Jetstar's VH-VGD A320.
This aircraft being only 2 months in service.

While boarding (and for 5 or so minutes after takeoff) there was visible mist/vapour flowing out of the air conditioning outlets(?) located between the overhead compartments and ceiling of the aircraft.

Almost seemed as if there was a 'smoke machine' onboard as the mist was rather dense when it first entered the cabin from out of the air vents.

I am not a regular flyer, however this visible mist is something I have never seen onboard before.


Can anyone explain this vapour?
Is it a standard feature on all recently constructed aircraft?

One theory I had was the warmer outside air mixing with the cooler air flowing out of the air conditioning vents during the boarding process given the front and rear cabin doors were open - resulting in visual condensation?

Just curious.
Thanks
-Adam
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26th February 2011, 03:30 PM
Adam W Adam W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 175
Default

This is normal, not just for new aircraft. You pretty much answered your own question. When the doors are open the cold dry air from the vents mixes with the warm moist air from outside forming the visible condensation.

As a cabin cleaner I see this all the time, particularly during hot and humid weather, something we've had plenty of recently here in Perth.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26th February 2011, 07:22 PM
NeilP NeilP is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bexley, NSW. 10mins from YSSY
Posts: 209
Default

This will often happen in my car too... I do quite a bit of long distance driving, and I don't smoke in my car. So when I get back in after having stopped for a quick one (having left the car running, and the air con still on), I get the same thing happening...
__________________
Cheers,
NeilP
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27th February 2011, 11:42 PM
Robert S Robert S is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 283
Default

I've seen this often (and in my car too, as Neil says - though I don't leave my car running).

Last time I saw it was on Virgin Atlantic A340s in Hong Kong (and also to a lesser extent here in Sydney) - very intense coming out of the vents, though dissipates well before (seated) head height and does clear up when the cabin air has settled down.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6th March 2011, 03:01 PM
Adam.S Adam.S is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Default

Thankyou for your replies and confirmation.

I don't fly often so it came as a surprise to me, although it did look impressive.

Cheers
-Adam
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9th March 2011, 02:34 PM
Cam T Cam T is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Default

Can second the appearance during hot & humid weather.

Saw it on almost all my flights when traveling in India.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19th March 2011, 06:36 PM
Darren Butterworth's Avatar
Darren Butterworth Darren Butterworth is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 209
Default

Yep Cam - you notice it the most if you wear eye glasses. I've noticed this on flight, not just in India, China and the middle east to a small extent, but in Perth and Brisbane.

Darren
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time now is 12:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © Sydney Airport Message Board 1997-2022
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Conditions of Use and Privacy Statement