Flight attendant shares the real reason why plane windows have tiny holes

08 March 2024 , 10:55

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But why are the small holes there? (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A flight attendant has shed light on why plane windows have tiny holes in them.

If you've ever found yourself absent mindedly gazing out of a plane window at 30,000 feet, you may have had the shocking realisation that there are little holes in the windows. After a passenger had their clothes ripped off their body when an Alaska Airlines plane door burst out of its panels earlier this year, it is fair to be a little perturbed by the prospect of a cabin losing pressure.

Happily Henny Lim, an air hostess with the Philippines-based airline Cebu Pacific, has explained why there is nothing to be worried about. She said that the punctures are also called 'bleed holes' and are essential for the safety of the aircraft.

"The tiny hole helps balance the pressure difference between the cabin and the outside air," Henny explained in a recent video.

Windows on planes are made up of three layers of glass and acrylic, which work together to keep passengers insulated and secure. The holes are there to create a regulated airflow which also reduces the stress on windows from air pressure.

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The small holes can seem a curious feature (Getty Images)

An expert from the Federal Aviation Administration previously told Tech Insider that as the plane gets higher up, the air pressure outside drops compared to the regulated air pressure inside the cabin. As the difference between the two increases, so does the physical stress being pressed onto the windows, which are made up of three panes of glass.

There's a small air gap in between the middle and outer panes, and the hole is actually in the middle pane. The outer pane takes the pressure, whereas the middle pane acts as a fail-safe just in case that trusty outer pane fails.

They have another function, which is to ensure that the glass keeps clear from moisture and condensation as well. "The holes release moisture and stop frost or condensation from blocking your view," Henny added. In the case of an emergency, the holes may be able to let light in so passengers can see their surroundings.

The presence of the holes, and their function, has sparked quite a reaction on Twitter. One person fretted: “Everything about a plane is scary. Especially the bleed holes if you don't understand why you have a hole in your window and don't realise it until you're 30,000 feet in the air.”

Another user added: “Quite shocking how important window design is for a plane.” A third person questioned: “What if some kid puts their finger over it.” Someone else confessed: “All the times I've travelled via airplane (international and local) I've always sat beside the window. The day I eventually discovered the bleed-hole I thought it was a defect.”

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Milo Boyd