He told Travel + Leisure: “Most planes are painted white because that color reflects sunlight, so the planes stay cooler and suffer less from the heat.”
It makes sense for the aircraft to reflect the sun as this reduces cooling costs.
In addition, the temperature in the airplane cabin will be more comfortable for passengers.
Aircraft above clouds are also more exposed to solar radiation, and light colors help deflect it.
Photo by Shutterstock. / Airplane
This trend began in the mid-1960s, as until then most airplanes were left to take off with polished aluminum exteriors.
It makes sense for the aircraft to reflect the sun as this reduces cooling costs.
Aviation historian Shea Oakley added: “Since 1976, Air France introduced the first “Euro-white” color, the white fuselage of the aircraft has become an increasingly common standard for the world’s airlines.
On the other hand, planes don’t have to be completely white – several companies have chosen brighter and darker colors.
For example, Mango, the state-owned subsidiary of South African Airways, flies passengers around the world on bright orange planes.
Vida Press photo. / Mango’s plane
Another PAR airline, Kulula Air, uses a green camouflage design.
Vida Press photo. / Kulula Air plane
And the “noses” of Hungarian Wizz Air planes are purple.
123RF.com photo. / Wizz Air plane
Meanwhile, Edelweiss Air, now a subsidiary of Swiss Air, is covered in red and blue.
