Ever wondered what that small symbol on your aircraft truly means? People on Reddit have been mesmerised by the little mark and what it signifies after a snap was shared online
Whether you’re a regular flyer or occasionally travel with friends or family, there’s a few things which may have come to your mind, like why are the lights dimmed during take-off and what does that ‘sinking’ feeling mean in the air?
Now there might be another detail about planes you only just realised and luckily there’s an explanation for it. Reddit users noticed there’s a little triangle mark on the aircraft and its purpose is crucial for many reasons. In a post, which scooped 400 likes and comments, one person asked: “What does this mark signify? What do these marks on the walls of an Airbus 320 in aisle 8 and 15 signify?”
The picture shows the triangle and it might just be something you’ve overlooked in the past – but it has an important meaning.
This small triangle, usually black, is marked on the interior wall of an airplane which indicates the best vantage point from which to view the aircraft’s wings and control surfaces.
Called Shatner’s Seats, these are purposely used for flight crew to keep an eye on problems like icing, damage or improper flap position, especially during emergencies.
Meanwhile for passengers, this should mean their seats have an unobstructed view of the wings which is perfect for taking snaps or even videos of their journey.
The triangle helps flyers understand their position relative to the wing, offering a unique perspective during the trip.
As for other purposes, some sources claim the triangles could also indicate points on the fuselage where emergency services could break in when there’s a situation.
It could also be used to help with the aircraft’s centre of gravity to improve balance and fuel efficiency so passengers might be seated near the triangle to boost that.
But not every aircraft has one of these triangles, so don’t panic if you have never seen it. These markers aren’t always present as some sources claim they’re more common on Airbus planes.
Over on Reddit, people were amazed when some users offered an explanation. One said: “Dang you’re clever thats awesome!”
In a similar post about the same mark, users joked it’s how flight attendants can tell which way is up. Then someone else admitted: “My daughter and I were just wondering about this. Thank you!”