Why do you wear sunscreen when flying?

Both flight attendants and dermatologists agree that anyone boarding a plane should wear sunscreen. The sun is more intense at higher elevations, and plane windows don't block harmful UVA rays. Beyond sunscreen, experts recommend wearing long sleeves and shutting the plane window.



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UVB rays penetrate the skin's outermost layers, causing reddening and skin cancer. Most plane windows will block UVB rays, but UVA rays can will still get through.

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There is no credible evidence to suggest passengers can get sunburnt on commercial airline flights, so Cancer Council does not recommend the need for sun protection. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation contributes to the development of melanoma and other skin cancers.

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The study found that spending 56 minutes in the cockpit of a plane at 30,000 feet exposed flight crew members to the same amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation as spending 20 minutes in a tanning bed.

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“Pilots are always exposed to the sun's harmful rays,” says Schweitzer. “We have pretty big windows in our flight deck, and it makes our skin more susceptible to skin cancer. I like to carry sun shields with me, I'll wear efficient sunglasses, and of course, my skin-care routine is major.”

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The surgeon said it's important to wear sunscreen when flying because the higher you travel in the air, the atmosphere gets thinner. The atmosphere helps to scatter damaging UV rays, so the thinner the atmosphere, this protection dwindles and the UV rays are more powerful and damaging, DeRosa added.

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The misdemeanor penalties for PC 248 shining a light at an aircraft to interfere with operations is a maximum of 1 year in jail and fines up to $1000. The legal penalties for PC 247.5 maliciously discharging a laser at an aircraft are: If charged as a misdemeanor, you could face one year in jail and fines up to $1000.

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if you suffer from or have had:
  • angina or chest pain at rest.
  • an infectious disease (e.g. chickenpox, flu), including COVID-19.
  • decompression sickness after diving (sometimes called 'the bends')
  • increased pressure in the brain (due to bleeding, injury or infection)
  • infection of your ears or sinuses.
  • recent heart attack.


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The study found that flying in a cockpit for 56.6 minutes at 30,000 feet exposed pilots to the same amount of UV-A radiation as a 20-minute tanning bed session.

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While rain has a very slim chance of canceling a flight, there can be a minor chance that rain will delay it. Rain is just water, no matter the pressure. Modern aircraft can generate lift regardless of the heaviness of the rain. Planes can and will take off and land in the rain.

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Basically, the air pressure inside the cabin is higher than it is outside of the plane to enable the people onboard to breathe normally. That's why, if a window happens to break, the air inside would escape at high speeds, taking small objects like phones or magazines (or sometimes larger things, like people) with it.

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How much radiation does air and space crew receive? <1 mSv in a year is on average received by aircrew where all routes flown do not exceed an altitude of about 9000 metres. 6 mSv in a year is a typical radiation doses received by aircrew flying long-haul polar routes.

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Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag. If your toothpaste is bigger, put it in your checked luggage or purchase some upon arrival.

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To ensure displays are visible, pilots have to wear sunglasses that are non-polarized. A lot of pilots use sunglasses to meet legal eyesight requirements. Contrary to popular thought, pilots do not need perfect vision.

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There are no specific height restrictions for pilots under FAA rules. Flight schools and commercial airlines accept pilots for training as long as they are physically able to reach the controls and obtain a full rudder deflection in the aircraft they will operate.

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