This enclosed space is environmentally controlled to maintain a breathable atmosphere and comfortable temperature at cruising altitudes where the outside air is thin and freezing. It is structurally designed as a pressure vessel, enduring constant expansion and contraction cycles with every flight. The layout dictates the payload capacity and class divisions for commercial airlines.
We lost cabin pressure at flight level three zero zero and had to initiate an emergency descent.
Related terms
Fuselage
The fuselage is the main central body of an aircraft that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo.
Narrowbody
A narrowbody is a commercial airliner with a single passenger aisle.
Widebody
A commercial airliner with twin aisles and a high passenger capacity.
Air hostess
A historic title for a female crew member responsible for passenger safety and comfort aboard a commercial aircraft.