The FAA recently announced airlines cannot have an off button for the “No Smoking” sign, which raises a bigger question.
Just last week , the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) decided that it was time to do something about " No smoke " signs on planes . So they formally got rid of their off electric switch . From now on , aboard every American woodworking plane of every American airline , the " No smoke " sign will have to stay on throughout the entire time a plane is move , whether it is taxing , take - off , cruising , landing place … You get the heart .
While there ’s safe reasoning behind the Administration ’s decision — in February , a few American Airlines flights were delayeddue to malfunction " No Smoking " signs — the presence of such augury in 2024 may still make some headland tilt . Was n’t smoke on planesbanned by the FAA more than 20 geezerhood ago ? Would n’t it be good to assume travelers receive the memo by now ?
It may total as a shock , but the resolution is that " No smoke " signs are still much - needed on plane — and that ’s why they are n’t going anywhere .
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" While ' No Smoking ' sign may seem like an honest-to-goodness and superannuated practice , they are still a necessity for a few unlike reasons , " Maddi Bourgerie , travel expert atRVshare , tells Thrillist . One of them is good old safety and public health . " There are air power regularization in place that require airlines to uphold a no - smoking insurance , " says Bourgerie . " Which is largely due to the flammability of materials in the cabin . " Plus , " the signs reinforce a roll of tobacco - costless environment for all passenger and bunch , " since used grass can be dangerous to those around you in such an enclosed blank space .
But if you dive a minuscule deeper you ’ll quickly realize that it is n’t only human safety we ’re talking about . " No Smoking " signaling also exist so that airlines can protect themselves from , say , suit and legal issue . If a smoking - colligate incident happens on a plane , explain Bourgerie , airlines can find sound protection in those signs . It ’s like awe warned you beforetype of move .
Let ’s also not bury that rough-cut sense is often mostly lack when traveling . By now , most ( if not all ) multitude know that get off up on a planer is a no - no . But as Bourgerie points out , the same rule applies also to vapes and electronic cigarettes , which rider might be more tempted to try — hence the need for signs .
And even if all these previous point were obvious , airline business would credibly never ditch the " No Smoking " sign in the name of nostalgia . " Many procedure and protocols in air travel are maintained for eubstance and indecorum , " explain Bourgerie . " And the ' No smoke ' sign has become a stock part of the in - flight experience . "
But do n’t worry — nobody is proceed to take away your cigarettes , vapes , and smoker ’s appurtenance . Those are loosely allowed in your carry - on and personal items . Just wait until you get out of the airdrome to light up and comfort , will ya ?
