NYCAAer From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 660 posts, RR: 4 Posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5965 times:
Has anyone else noticed this when flying the 777?
I'm a flight attendant and worked aboard the 767-300 last fall and and in December and January. Since February, I have been flying the 777 exclusively, and when I get off the plane I'm dehydrated. My lips are chapped, my mouth is dry, even my skin feels drier. I'm drier coming off a 6 hour LHR-JFK trip on the 777 than I am working a 9 hour ZRH-JFK on a 763. I drink tons of water to no avail. I can't imagine 14, 15 hours on the 777.
I know the 777 had some problems with people passing out in flight when it was first introduced in the mid-90s, but those problems were rectified. Anyone have any info on the 777 in this respect?
Treg From Estonia, joined Oct 2001, 534 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5936 times:
I agree with you 100%. And after especially nasty SFO-FRA flight with UA 777 I have started to avoid the beast. 340/747 families are much better in this regard. Maybe it is just a subjective feeling but I have felt really bad after every 777 flight
NYCAAer From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 660 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5812 times:
I thought I read somewhere that Airbus equips its aircraft with cabin humidifiers, but I've also read somewhere else that cabin humidifiers aren't feasible because they contribute to corrosion of the fuselage. I don't know which statement is true. I never had any problems on the A300. The other planes I've worked in my career (either Boeing or McDonnell Douglas) have been fine, too.
EXMEMWIDGET From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 188 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5806 times:
Last Fall, my wife and I flew DFW-LGW on an AA 777. We both started to feel very dehydrated after about 3 hours in the air. We did all of the rehydrating things that we could do....drinking lots of water, using saline nose spray, and using some sort of bottled face mister that my wife (an AA F/A) brought with her. These things helped, but the flight was still a bit uncomfortable. We returned LGW-DFW on an AA 767 with none of the dryness that we experienced on the 777.
Tod From Denmark, joined Aug 2004, 1682 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 5702 times:
The is nothing about the 777 air system that would make it any drier than a 747 or 767. None of them have pax humidifiers and all of them have flight deck humidification. Some 744 have a humidifier for the door 5 crew rest. Pax humidification would be nice, but the main problem is the stuff that grows inside of humid ducting. It's a trade-off, while extremely dry air is inconvienent, breathing the mold and germs from moist ducting can make you sick.
The amount of recirculated air make have a small impact though, since it has been moisten by the last person the breathed it.
Quoting EXMEMWIDGET (Reply 4): We did all of the rehydrating things that we could do
Try starting your hydration efforts the day before. By the time you get on board, it's too late to really be effective.
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5341 posts, RR: 11 Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 5629 times:
Unfortunately, humidifying the air is not a safe idea. First, as someone mentioned, gross things grow in moist air, and even more so in moisture- creating devices. Have you ever had a humidifier in your home? They grow jelly in the bottom. Mine did, anyway. And smelled bad. Yuck.
I digress.
The other problem is indeed corrosion.
One of the great benefits of the 787's composite structure will be its resistance to corrosion. Boeing says that, due to this alone, humidity will be up to 15% or so in the cabin. Common relative humidity levels in current aircraft are 5-8%. THAT makes Arizona feel like Houston!
I was in an A330 crossing the Atlantic in 2001. It was a great ride, but BOY was I dry. I noticed it about four hours in. I drank bottle after bottle of water, but my lips cracked and bled, and my hands got all crackly.
One big problem is that, at altitude, there isn't much moisture to be had. All cabin air comes straight from the engine compressors, through the a/c packs, and into the various ductwork. And that air outside (unless you're flying through a cloud!) is waaaay dry.
To my knowledge, there are no significant differences between the operation of Boeing AC packs (between 767, 777, or 747) and Airbus AC packs. The all pretty much do the same thing (compress, decompress, and decompress again) to the air.
I hope my info helps you out some. I guess I could sum it up by saying that yes, 777 air is very dry, but so is the air in other Boeings, Douglasses, and Airbusses.
Lemurs From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1439 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 5564 times:
Quoting Tod (Reply 5): Try starting your hydration efforts the day before. By the time you get on board, it's too late to really be effective.
That's an important point that's often lost in travel tips. Your body can only retain so much moisture at a time before just passing some through. Unless you've made a point of hydrating yourself over the hours leading up to the flight, you'll probably just urinate out what you've been drinking. Another important factor is salt (more specifically, electrolytes). Having a sport drink, or even some salty snacks will help you retain more moisture than drinking just water.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary, and those that don't.
WesternDC1010 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 321 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 5264 times:
Yes, I agree.
In my opinion, American's 777-223's seem to be dryer than United's 777-222's. I just traveled from LAX to LHR and back on AA's 777's last week and they seem to have been the worst when it comes to lack of humidity. N753AN (LHR-LAX) was worse than N777AN (LAX-LHR). I had to get up and get water every 2 hours.
FriendlySkies From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 4009 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 5236 times:
I flew 4 777s in a row (ORD-SFO-HNL-SFO-ORD), and didn't notice any difference to a 737, A320, or any other aircraft.
However, I will say this is one of the more interesting threads I've seen to date.
JBLUA320 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3160 posts, RR: 21 Reply 10, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 5210 times:
Ive also never felt dry on any of my 5 777 flights. The only aircraft I've truly felt parched on was the 757-300.
TheBigOne From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2004, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 5129 times:
When flying from LHR to PHL on a BA 777 last year, I was discussing flight rosters with the FA, when the topic of the 777s lack of humidity came up. I said that I found the 777 had the most comfortable environment (including air) when compared to the 747. The FA however did not agree with me and said that she felt like she had a perpetual cold when flying the 777. According to her, BA crews were starting to get a little unhappy regarding the dryness on the 777 and had consulted with BA's health and safety department. According to the FA, tests were carried out on both the 777 and the 747 (as the crew said they preferred the cabin environment of the 747), but that tests showed both aircraft had very similar humidity levels. The crews have continued to fly 777s, but apparently many prefer the 747.
p.s. Before anyone starts bashing me over the head, please note that I am only narrating a discussion between myself and a FA, and I recognize that she is not an authoritative source on BA's cabin humidity!
Reach for the stars - they are closer than you think!
Kim777fan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 510 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 5098 times:
I didn't really notice any undue dryness on my one trip which was a DEN-SFO leg and a return leg of SFO-ORD. I thought the plane was incredible myself, but those aren't particularly long flights in the overall context of things.
I do know that with new composite materials, the 787 is supposed to have much better humidity than prior generation aircraft which should help alleviate some of the jet lag problem.
Maybe composites can be incorporated in a new "777NG."
AirWillie6475 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 2448 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4495 times:
This is weird because on a 777 documentary it stated that the 777 is the most passenger friendly plane to date. It even eliminates fart smells according to a 777 flight attendant. It also stated that there was a better cabin air environment.
Kim777fan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 510 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 4345 times:
I wonder if an airline can advertise that their planes eliminate fart smells or if there's some FCC regulation precluding that.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 15, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 4252 times:
Quoting NYCAAer (Reply 3): I thought I read somewhere that Airbus equips its aircraft with cabin humidifiers,
EK really humidifies their A345's with LOTS of humidity......feels like I just walked into a tropical rain forest!!
Quoting Lemurs (Reply 7): Having a sport drink, or even some salty snacks will help you retain more moisture than drinking just water.
thats exactly what one should have, and avoid coffee and alcohol!
Quoting WesternDC1010 (Reply 8): I just traveled from LAX to LHR and back on AA's 777's last week and they seem to have been the worst when it comes to lack of humidity.
WesternDC1010...how as the trip? I plan on either flying either AA SFO-LAX-LHR or AA SFO-ORD-LHR, but I'm not 100% sure.....obviously there are pros and cons to both ways, but some input would be appreciated....thanks..
UAORD2000 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 264 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 4071 times:
I couldn't agree more. The 777 for some reason is the most uncomfortable plane when it comes to a dry cabin. As a flight attendant, we put pots of steaming water behind some seats in front of bulk heads to help humidify the air on long flights. It really seems to help.
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8754 posts, RR: 52 Reply 17, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 3942 times:
Actually people are correct in saying that the 777 system may make them feel dryer. Part of the inovations with the 777 was a pressurization system that turned over the air inside the cabin faster then any other plane before. It is roughly 3 minutes, which is insanely low. I don't have any figures for other planes though. Hamilton Sundstrand makes the Airbus pressurization systems for the air circulation and it is known to be quieter but produce less volume then Boeing, which is why the Airbus planes are often quieter inside. Boeing put turnover as a bigger priority because it allows for clean air and less diseases and particulate matter in the air.
I am not a doctor at all and haven't taken biology since high school, but the faster circulation may cause these symptoms. The air is pretty much the same, but there is more of it moving as the ducting system is at a lot higher pressure on the 777. This "blowing" can take moisture out of your system faster and might be the result for these claims. If you are feeling dry always turn off the air nozzle above your seat as moving air will take more moisture away from you skin.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6328 posts, RR: 14 Reply 18, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 3934 times:
On my 777 flights on both 772/773 I haven't had a problem. Admittedly 2 of those flights were only around 3 and 1/2 hours, but the other was 10 hours 20 min, and I didn't notice being any more dehydrated than I am usually on the ground.
Aerofan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 3929 times:
Oh thank GOd. I thought that this only happend to me. I experiene the same symptoms whenever I fly VS to and from London. Yet I just flew Air pacific to and from Fiji in a 747 and experienced none of the problems. Wonder why????
Apollo13 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 3779 times:
Yeah it is from the air because one time i was flying on a southwest flight from OAK to MSY, and on approach to MSY, we passed several storm cells, and boy did I feel all humid and wet compared to being over the desert where is was cracking!
WesternDC1010 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 321 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3450 times:
Quoting Jacobin777 (Reply 15): Quoting WesternDC1010 (Reply 8):
I just traveled from LAX to LHR and back on AA's 777's last week and they seem to have been the worst when it comes to lack of humidity.
WesternDC1010...how as the trip? I plan on either flying either AA SFO-LAX-LHR or AA SFO-ORD-LHR, but I'm not 100% sure.....obviously there are pros and cons to both ways, but some input would be appreciated....thanks..
The trip was OK, but I prefer United's service between LAX and LHR over AA's. The in-flight service aboard AA was adequate, but the last time I flew UA, the alcohol was free and they showed more recent films and television programs as part of their entertainment. Plus the flight attendants were more cheeful and kept us well-fed and watered. With the dryness experienced on both aircraft, the less time spent on AA's 777, the better. So I'd do the SFO-ORD-LHR segment, if I were you.
AlitaliaMD11 From Spain, joined Dec 2003, 4068 posts, RR: 15 Reply 22, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3394 times:
I have found myself very dhydrated on the B777-200 before. Every time that I have flown on it. More recently when I flew back to New York in November and I flew CDG-JFK on a AF B777-200 I was really un-comfortable and dhydrated, and I ended up getting a really bad soar throat from it!
I went back to the galley to get some water, but it didn't really help.
On the rest of the Boeings, 727,737,757,767,747, I have not felt dhydrated before nor on any Airbus planes.
Njdevilsin03 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 713 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3319 times:
Interesting Topic indeed. Flew CO 777 MCO-EWR once didn't feel any type of dehydration effects at all but that may be because it was only a 2 hour flight and it didn't take off till around Midnight or so.
Chicoco From Australia, joined Nov 2004, 30 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3191 times:
I recently flew LA A343 SYD/AKL/SCL return. My mouth as as dry as sandpaper, and could not get over the dehydration for hours after arriving in SCL. On the return leg I had two 1.5 litre bottles of mineral water, they were both finished by the time we reached AKL. I really don't seem to find much difference between long haul aircraft.Next month I will be flying JL SYD/NRT/FCO, and return.I do know for a fact that JL supply bottled mineral in flight .Lets see how different to the A343 to the 744 is.
25 Boeing7E7: Try a DC-10 from MSP to HNL... Talk about dry. Humidity shock when you get to HNL.
26 Hawk44: Anybody have any data on how many pax have suffered severe dehydration or severe health issues related to dehydration onboard the T7? Hawk44
27 WunalaYann: Guys, I'm starting to freak out, now!!!!!!!!! . I'm flying CDG-MEL with EK, on a 773 for CDG-DXB, then on a 772 for DXB-SIN-MEL... Argh!!!!! Y.
28 Wunala: I always fly with a good moisturiser, and a facial spray, incase I dont get it in my amenities pack. I find the combo works well, and never suffer the
29 Mir: I haven't been on a 777 for some time now, but I remember one trip EWR-AMS (CO) that I was just miserable on. Granted, I had a nasty cold and sore thr
30 Flyabunch: There are trade-offs to everything. I think I would rather have high rates of air turnover and fewer pathogens flying around the cabin. If you just li
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