Fog Inside Plane Cabin: A Natural and Safe Occurrence Explained

Passengers on a US domestic flight were in for a surprise when they experienced fog inside the cabin. The cause of this occurrence was captured in a video posted by TikTok user Savannah Gowarty, which received over 13.1 million views. Many viewers expressed confusion and surprise at what they were seeing, but experts reassured that this phenomenon is natural and nothing to worry about.

On hot and humid days, the cold air from an aircraft’s air conditioning system mixes with the warmer, more humid cabin air, causing the temperature to drop below the dew point and create fog. This usually happens when the plane is waiting for takeoff on the ground, as the air in the cabin is kept cool by external air conditioning systems or the plane’s auxiliary engine.

Climate scientist Indrani Roy from the University of London explained that condensation is common inside an aircraft due to its conducive environment. The cooler air from outside meets warm, moist air from inside, creating ideal conditions for water vapor to condense into droplets on surfaces within the cabin. While fog may make passengers nervous, especially if they mistake it for smoke or fire, flight attendants are trained to provide explanations and reassure passengers.

The fog in airplane cabins usually dissipates quickly due to natural processes that warm up cooler air above its dew point temperature. However, if conditions are right, it can last longer than usual. Despite initial concerns, passengers can rest assured that fog in the cabin is a temporary and safe occurrence that happens naturally under certain circumstances.

In conclusion, while experiencing fog inside an aircraft’s cabin may be disconcerting for some passengers, it is not something to worry about as it occurs naturally under certain weather conditions. Flight attendants are trained to provide explanations and reassurance during such incidents while maintaining safety protocols throughout flights.

FAA also explained that this natural phenomenon happens when planes are sitting on tarmacs waiting for takeoff or landing on hot humid days when there’s no breeze blowing through them.