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Boeing 787: Improved Air Quality at 30,000 feet 2008 September 25 © 2008, Libertiny Financial LLC
Air quality, personal space and customer service. I was keenly aware that all three of these qualities were missing as I traveled from the U.S. to Europe, the Middle East and Asia on separate trips.
Airlines are the ones that set the (low) standard in personal space and customer service. But I am looking forward to the improvements in air quality that should be found in the new Boeing 787. And these are qualities that will be shared throughout the airplane, regardless if you’re stuck in coach or relaxing in first-class.
From an engineering perspective, at cruising altitudes of greater than 30,000 feet, normal for the world’s current fleet of airliners, the “cabin altitude” is equivalent to 8,000 feet. This is due to the maximum pressurization that can be sustained by both the fuselage strength and the cabin pressurization system. Also, the air that is added to the cabin during flight to makeup for losses in order to sustain the cabin altitude has a humidity level that makes the deserts of the United Arab Emirates seem positively damp.
Once I’ve landed after anything over a five hour flight, I immediately notice the wonderful sensation of having a head cold along with the required headache and sore throat. This is attributable to the very dry air in the cabin and the high cabin altitude. Imagine standing in a desert at the top of an 8,000 foot mountain. You can actually experience an accelerated version of this experience for yourself by traveling to Maui, Hawaii and driving up to the top of Haleakala National Park. At the summit (10,000 feet), ignore the signs to “rest and take it easy” at your own peril. If you don’t heed the signs you’ll be immediately greeted by sensations very similar to how you feel after a long airplane flight.
The 787 will be different. Due to the carbon fiber reinforced fuselage, the “hoop strength” of the cabin is stronger than the typical aluminum cabin of present airliners. This allows higher air pressurization and a corresponding lower cabin altitude of 6,000 feet, slightly higher than living in the mile-high city of Denver in the U.S. Also, the humidity will be higher since carbon fiber doesn’t have the corrosion issues of an aluminum fuselage aircraft.
While it remains to be seen if airlines will improve on personal space in the layout of the 787 or instead, pack the plane with the maximum seats possible, there’s two things that are certain: 1. Customer service will remain poor. 2. Once you’ve reached your destination you’ll fee physically better thanks to some high-tech engineering.
Assuming that Boeing works out contracts with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace soon, we’ll have an opportunity to ride in this game-changing aircraft in the not-to-distant future and enjoy that higher quality air. |
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