Why planes still have no smoking signs
Have you ever wondered why planes still have dozens of no smoking signs inside an aircraft, even 30 years after a worldwide ban was implemented?
A travel expert has answered this age-old question, just weeks after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) got rid of the off switch for no smoking signs.
This means that for all American planes across every US airline, the no smoking signs stay lit throughout the entire time you’re on board, which includes taxing, takeoff, cruising and landing.
While it would seem that no smoking signs onboard planes are no longer needed nowadays, they are actually very much needed.
“While no smoking signs may seem like an old and outdated practice, they are still a necessity for a few different reasons,” RVshare travel expert Maddi Bourgerie told Thrillist.
Firstly, it’s down to public health and safety, as Ms Bourgerie said, “There are aviation regulations in place that require airlines to maintain a no-smoking policy, which is largely due to the flammability of materials in the cabin.”
She added, “the signs reinforce a smoke-free environment for all passengers and crew,” with second-hand smoke being dangerous to those around you in an enclosed space.
Ms Bourgerie also explained that having the signs gives the airline some protection from potential lawsuits, with the signs acting as a safety net if a smoking-related incident occurs on board.
The travel expert also pointed to a less obvious reason for keeping the no smoking signs, explaining, “Many procedures and protocols in aviation are maintained for consistency and familiarity.”
“And the no smoking sign has become a standard part of the in-flight experience.”
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