You'll be safer knowing these essential airplane facts
There's a reason why cabin crew dim the lights for landing: This is because, in the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly and passengers need to evacuate.
Raised window shades when landing: Similarly, window shades need to be raised during landing so that passengers can see outside in an emergency.
Airplanes can get struck by lightning: Planes are designed to be struck by lightning, and they're regularly hit.
Some airplanes have secret bedrooms for flight crew: On long-haul flights, cabin crew can work up to 18 hours.
Pilots are in command of the cockpit and the cabin: The Pilot In Command (PIC) has unlimited authority whenever the plane doors are closed, meaning they control the cockpit and the cabin.
That tiny hole in the airplane window has an important function: That tiny hole, known as a bleed hole, is a crucial element in the structure because it helps to regulate air pressure.
The tires are designed not to pop on landing: The tires on an airplane are designed to withstand extremely heavy loads during landing, take-off, taxi, and parking.
You don't need both engines to fly: The idea of an engine giving out mid-flight sounds terrifying, but every commercial airplane can safely fly with just one engine.
The plane's bathroom can be unlocked from the outside: The flight crew may need to access the toilets if there's an emergency, somebody is stuck, or to close it off due to a maintenance problem.
Airplane environments make food taste worse: A 2015 Cornell University study found that the environment inside an airplane actually alters the way food and drink tastes.