Onboard Heat

It seems that the heat onboard ac is a constant source of complaint. Seeing it as being 'one of those things' I've never felt much like commenting about it. Interestingly, I flew to Jersey over the weekend on an A319 with bmi. Sure enough, a few minutes after takeoff, the cabin became stiffingly hot. I spotted the stewardess using a touchscreen panel by the front door where she selected the front of the ac, and then pulled down a sliderbar. Within a minute the temperature returned to normal.

Therefore my question is, is this a new feature that isn't available on the VS fleet, or is it because of the bigger ac that VS fly that the temperature modifications by CC aren't so effective?

[Nottingham Nick]

I must admit that I have thought this is one of the things that VS have got better at recently. I haven't had a problem on any of my last few flights.

I also think it is one of the many things where the quality of the FSM makes or breaks it. From my own observations the controls even on the biggest planes, are quite sensitive and the FSM can decide exactly what temperature they wish the cabin to be at.

It seems they react to comments / complaints made by pax, but good FSM will make sure the cabin temps are right - bearing in mind different pax may have totally different interpretations of what the perfect cabin temperature is.

Nick

[Darren Wheeler]

The cabin temperature has always been adjustable although Virgin have always been a bit on the warm side, especially on night flights.

The CC have also learnt that a warm cabin combined with meal drinks means everyone falls asleep and quiet flight follows...

[HighFlyer]

The A346's are definitely easily temperature controllable. I assume the 747's have some sort of system too? The stifling heat is the one thing that really bothers me onboard, particularly as it stops me from sleeping.

Thanks,
Sarah

Cheers for your replies - I hadn't taken into account the CC sleep tactics!

I'd never really thought about how much control that CC have over the ac. I guess you always think that all the switches and dials are in the cockpit however this touchscreen interface really impressed me. It seemed so flexible and easy to use.

Originally posted by HighFlyer
The A346's are definitely easily temperature controllable. I assume the 747's have some sort of system too? The stifling heat is the one thing that really bothers me onboard, particularly as it stops me from sleeping.

Thanks,
Sarah

I stand to be corrected but from memory on a 747 - 400, the cabin temperature controls are situated in the overhead panel in the flight deck.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
I stand to be corrected but from memory on a 747 - 400, the cabin temperature controls are situated in the overhead panel in the flight deck.

That makes sense, all my recent flights have been on Airbus a/c.

Nick

Both aircraft are primarily controlled by the flight deck crew. On the A340 the CC can control within +/- a few degrees of the flight deck selection. On the B747 the temperature is set by the flight deck, but is adjustable by the CC. As Andrew mentions, both aircraft have the temp controls on the overhead in the flight deck

In basic terms the cabin temperature is controlled by the amount of hot air added to that particular area (zone), as the air conditioning packs will output a basic temperature. Also a certain amount of air is recirculated.

[mitchja]

On 744's it always worse on the upper deck which is one of the reason I dont like J on the LHR VS 744's - obviously as warm air rises. I'd be interested to see what it's like on an A380.

I would say it's got worse since VS introduced UCS. Partly, as the old J2000 seat in bed mode, you where a lot nearer the cabin floor which will always be the coolest area. There seems very little air flow around an UCS when in bed mode especially around the area where your head is. I've still to try the back-to-front sleeping position where you sleep with your head at the ottoman end.

I would guess that VS have performed air flow tests through the cabins in different configs [:?]

As the A346's are a newer A/C they probably have more efficent air con units as well.

Regards

Originally posted by McMaddog
It seems that the heat onboard ac is a constant source of complaint. Seeing it as being 'one of those things' I've never felt much like commenting about it. Interestingly, I flew to Jersey over the weekend on an A319 with bmi. Sure enough, a few minutes after takeoff, the cabin became stiffingly hot. I spotted the stewardess using a touchscreen panel by the front door where she selected the front of the ac, and then pulled down a sliderbar. Within a minute the temperature returned to normal.

Therefore my question is, is this a new feature that isn't available on the VS fleet, or is it because of the bigger ac that VS fly that the temperature modifications by CC aren't so effective?

ISTBC but I suspect that on a basic config A319 the ratio of heat generating objects (principally passengers) to space is constant over the aircraft making control relatively straightforward. On an A340 or 747 this won't be the case, unless the aircon is specifically zone (cabin density) related.

Paul

ps ever noticed that on an 319 cabin computer screen the information when landing relates to the ratio of waste vs water in the 'facilities'?

Originally posted by pjh
ps ever noticed that on an 319 cabin computer screen the information when landing relates to the ratio of waste vs water in the 'facilities'?

Yikes! bmi have obviously spotted this and averted PAX eyes by the cunning use of a screensaver!

[ChuckC]

Have to say that on VS' Airbus flights the cabin temps have been uniformly more comfortable. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Airbus, being of more modern design, has solved the problem. In the US it's an issue with nearly all airlines that I've flown -- and most of them are using older aircraft. For the past two years I've been flying mostly A319 and A320 and have rarely experienced a problem with the temps.

Chuck-