Do planes ice up in the air?

Ice builds up on aircraft in two ways: in flight or on the ground. On the ground, precipitation falls onto the airplane and freezes on upper surfaces much like what happens if you leave your car out overnight. On planes, ground icing forms on the upper surfaces of the wing and tail.



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Clear ice is dangerous for flight because it can lead to: Decreased lift – due to disruption of airflow over the wing and tail surfaces. Increased drag – due to sheets of ice protruding beyond the wing. Increased weight – a large amount of ice can accumulate rapidly.

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So a cabin that's too warm can further increase the chances of a passenger fainting. Because everyone's body temperatures are different, airlines would rather keep the cabin a little too cool and have some passengers be cold instead of having even one passenger faint.

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The most common reason is that there are no airstrips or airports on many of the small islands, so if a plane had to make an emergency landing, it would be difficult to find a place to land. Additionally, the Pacific Ocean is vast and remote, so if a plane were to go down, it would be very difficult to find.

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Airplanes fly in minus 56 celsius (-69 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder conditions at altitude, therefore if the fluids can be kept warm, the airplane can usually operate.

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