Airplane Cabin Pressure: Breath Easy on Private Jets

For those who fly privately, constant travel is a part of daily life. One of the main advantages of using private jets is the immense time savings, but there could be significant health benefits as well. Commercial airlines face tight turnaround times, leaving cabin crews little time to clean all surfaces and passengers are exposed to recirculated air shared with potentially hundreds of other passengers. When you fly privately, the aircraft arrives fully cleaned, stocked and prepared specifically for you and your passengers.

Everything You Need To Know About Airplane Cabin Pressure

Not only is the air in commercial airlines recirculated but it also provides less oxygen due to higher levels of pressurization in these aircraft types. Depending on the person, this increased pressurization can result in a 5 to 20% reduction of oxygen in the blood, according to USA Today. “The reduced oxygen supply to the brain is why some suffer headaches while in flight, one of the symptoms of hypoxia. When oxygen levels fall in the brain, the heart tries to compensate by beating harder and faster. Another symptom of hypoxia is fatigue.” (USA Today).

Airlines are only required by the Federal Aviation Administration to provide cabin pressure at 8,000 feet or lower. However, research has found that adjusting  flight cabin pressure to 6,000 feet could decrease the discomfort of those flying. In this way, pressurizing the cabin to 6,000 feet could help passengers breathe easier and feel better throughout the flight.

Commercial Airplane Cabin Pressure Effects on the Body

If a flight’s level of cabin pressurization isn’t right, passengers may experience the following health concerns:

• Hypoxia: Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen in your body’s tissues. This condition can lead to symptoms such as sluggish thinking, dimmed vision and eventual loss of consciousness if the oxygen deprivation is prolonged.
• Barotrauma: Barotrauma refers to damaged body tissues due to a difference in pressure between gas spaces. Symptoms of barotrauma include discomfort and pain in the gastrointestinal tract or the teeth.
• Decompression sickness: Commonly referred to as generalized barotrauma, decompression sickness may cause forgetfulness, tiredness, headaches, thrombosis, itching or even stroke.
• Altitude sickness: Also known as acute mountain sickness, altitude sickness may involve nausea, fatigue, fluid in the lungs, headaches or hyperventilation.

Although the decrease in oxygen saturation involved with commercial airline cabin pressure is usually not enough to bring on a serious illness like acute mountain sickness, it can cause significant discomfort.

Lower Cabin Pressure on Private Flights

Fortunately, our Phenom 300 Light Jet features the best pressurization levels in its class, giving you a more restorative flight. At 45,000 feet, our Phenom 300 charter jets are pressurized at a maximum of 6,600 feet, well below commercial airlines and all other light jets available for charter.  In comparison, the most common light jets available for charter at 45,000 feet have a relative cabin pressure between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. Lower cabin pressure means more oxygen during the flight. More oxygen means more comfort and more energy when you’re wheels down. Combine this with our lay-flat seating,and you’ll arrive refreshed and ready for your next adventure.

Contact our 24 Hours Sales Team today for more information on in-flight amenities and features of the Phenom 300 available for charter. It’s our goal to give you the most comfortable and easiest way to travel nationwide.

Request a quote or call 800-609-8159 to book corporate jets wherever you need to be.