Climate preferences and expectations and their influence on comfort evaluations in an aircraft cabin

Aircraft cabins are designed with the aim of providing thermally comfortable conditions for the majority of passengers. To avoid the potential for dissatisfied customers, one focus for future design is on personalized climate zones. In this context, the influence of individual preferences and expectations on comfort in an aircraft cabin was analysed. A study was conducted in an aircraft mock-up of a Dornier 728 using 60 subjects and a quasi-experimental design. Climate parameter sensations and personal characteristics were assessed via questionnaire; the cabin climate was measured by the use of various sensors. Two climate scenarios corresponding to cruising flight conditions (21.5 °C and 23 °C, volume flow of air 660 l/s, humidity approx. 18%) were tested to analyse thermal comfort at the lower boundary of comfort temperatures in airplanes. Results confirm that the warmer climate was preferred to the colder one. Individual preferences – especially for warmth and air movement – had significant relationships with climate parameter perceptions and evaluations. Further, flight related expectations influenced the way in which the climate situation was rated: the higher the subjectsʹ expectations, the less comfortable the cabin climate was rated. The idea of implementing individual air conditioning is supported; practical implications of the findings are discussed.