Field Study of Passengers’ Thermal Comfort and Nozzle Use for Personal Air Supply in Aircraft Cabin

摘要

In recent years, thermal environment in aircraft cabin is becoming a focus. Currently, it is lack of studies on cabin thermal environment, passengers’ thermal comfort and nozzle usage in commercial aircraft in terms of domestic short-haul flights in China. Cabin temperature and humidity were measured for 24 commercial aircraft flying in different seasons. 257 valid thermal comfort questionnaires were collected at the same time. Based on statistical analysis of the investigated data, Cabin temperature was slightly higher than passengers’ required temperature. More than 20% passengers felt ‘slightly warm’ or ‘warm’ in winter and transition seasons. Most of the dissatisfied (74%) was caused by warm and stuffy feelings. Nozzles were necessary to set in aircraft. However, it was not necessary to open nozzles all the time. Warm and stuffy feelings were the main reason using nozzles. It is necessary to study nozzle air supply to improve passengers’ thermal comfort better.