Why is the AC switched off during takeoff in a flight? Know the real reason here

Traveling by plane has become quite common now as people are preferring it for quick and comfortable travel. If you have ever sat in a flight, you might have noticed that the AC is often switched off at the time of take-off.

Actually, there is a big reason behind turning off or reducing the AC at this time.

Many airliners use compressed air bled from the engines (or the Auxiliary Power Unit – APU) to pressurize the cabin and provide cooling for the air conditioning. During takeoff, the engines need to produce maximum thrust, so any air being bled off for other systems reduces the available thrust. By turning off the AC before takeoff, the amount of bleed air is reduced, which allows the engines to generate more thrust.

The engine needs maximum power during takeoff. Takeoff is a critical phase in which the engine works to its full capacity to lift the plane off the ground and reach the desired height. The AC system, which keeps the entire cabin cool, consumes a part of the engine’s power.

So, to save this power and give full power to the engines, the AC is temporarily turned off or reduced. However, when the plane reaches a stable altitude, the AC turns on normally. Some airlines may use the APU to provide air for air conditioning and pressurization during the ground phase and initial climb. The APU can then be shut down once the engines are at full power and the air conditioning packs can be switched on again.

News