I Just Learned The Real Reason Planes Are White (And It's Surprisingly Technical)

Did you know flight attendants aren’t just being nice when they greet you on a plane? Nope – they’re also reportedly checking your fitness to help in an emergency, and sometimes eyeing up your luggage or sobriety levels.And on the flip side, staff aren’t being mean when they tell you you can’t return to a plane to get something you’ve left behind, either. There are some pretty important reasons behind the decision. Amanda Parker, a travel expert at Netflights, has shared that’s not the only sneakily strategic decision hiding in plain, or should I say plane (teehee), sight either.“Passengers may not realise how important it is that aircraft are painted white,” she said.So, why are planes white?The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason is that white paint reflects sunlight. This helps to keep the aircraft’s surface and cabin cooler, and protect the structure from heat-related damage, Parker said. But the hue also “helps reduce the risk of bird strikes, as birds can spot white aircraft more easily against the sky or ground, allowing them to avoid collisions,” the expert continued. “Darker colours reduce contrast and make planes less visible to birds, increasing the likelihood of impact.”Then, there’s the fact that damage shows up better on white paint than it might on other shades. “Regular inspections are critical for flight safety. Cracks, dents, oil leaks, and other damage are often darker than the white paint, making them easier to detect and address quickly, helping boost maintenance efficiency and keep passengers safer,” Parker stated. Any other reasons?Yup. Cold, hard cash. “Aircraft paints are specialised and expensive, requiring large volumes up to 3,600 litres of paint for a jumbo jet like the Airbus A380. Because white is the most commonly used colour, it is also the least expensive and lightest paint option,” Parker shared.“Using lighter paint reduces aircraft weight, which lowers fuel consumption and operating costs.” On top of that, white paint fades less than coloured ones. And seeing as “repainting grounds the aircraft for up to two weeks and can cost between £150,000 to £300,000, airlines prefer white paint because it maintains its look for longer and saves money”.Not since Miranda Priestly’s The Devil Wears Prada speech about cerulean have I realised the importance of a simple colour...Related...This Is The Real Reason You Can't Go Back On The Plane If You Left Something BehindI'm A Pilot – Here's How To Actually Stop Your Ears Popping On A PlaneI Asked Flight Experts Which Suitcase Colour They'd Never Use, And I'm Surprised

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