The Real Reason Why Airplane Windows Have Holes

If you're not a pilot or flight attendant, you probably don't get to see clouds, mountains, or cities from

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an airplane window every day. Have you thought about the pressure on that small window pane between you and the sky?

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Thankfully, airplane engineers consider all those physics concerns to make planes safe. You may

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detect a little hole in every airplane window. A bleed hole regulates air pressure and is essential to the construction.

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Above sea level, air pressure and oxygen decrease. Low oxygen and air pressure are bad for humans.

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Air pressure drops in the cabin as the plane ascends. To ensure passenger comfort, aircraft maintain safe cabin air pressure.

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An Airbus spokeswoman informs Travel + Leisure that exterior air pressure is substantially lower than inside air pressure during flight.

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Safety measures like airplane window design have prevented fast decompression from structural failure due to decades of careful design and testing.

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