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Altitude exposures during aircraft flight. Flying higher
1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago.
Chest
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Commercial flights expose passengers to cabin altitudes up to 8,915 feet, potentially causing hypoxemia in those with heart or lung conditions. Newer aircraft show higher cabin altitudes, increasing this risk.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Cardiopulmonary Physiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Commercial aircraft cabin altitudes can vary significantly, posing a risk of hypoxemia for individuals with pre-existing cardiac or pulmonary conditions.
- Understanding inflight cabin pressure is crucial for developing safety guidelines for air travel for vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure inflight cabin altitudes across a diverse range of commercial aircraft and airlines.
- To assess the relationship between aircraft type, age, and cabin altitude exposure.
- To inform guidelines for cardiopulmonary patients regarding commercial air travel.
Main Methods:
- Conducted inflight cabin altitude measurements on 204 commercial flights.
- Included 16 different aircraft types operated by 28 airlines.
- Analyzed data for variations based on flight type (domestic/international) and aircraft generation.
Main Results:
- The median cabin altitude across all flights was 6,214 feet, with a range from sea level to 8,915 feet.
- Newer generation aircraft were associated with significantly higher cabin altitudes compared to older models (p = 0.002).
- Inspired partial pressure of oxygen decreases notably with increasing cabin altitude.
Conclusions:
- Commercial flights present a variable altitude exposure, with potential for significant hypoxemia.
- The increasing prevalence of newer aircraft may elevate the risk of hypoxemia for passengers.
- Further research is needed to establish clear travel guidelines for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.