Why do planes have tiny holes in their windows? There’s a very important reason for it

03 Apr, 2016 by Rachel Alexander

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You’ve always heard how bad it is for a plane to develop a hole or leak. So why do the passenger windows have tiny holes in them?

The Daily Mirror got to the bottom of it,

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) speaking to Tech Insider explained the hole is used to regulate air pressure.

As the plane gains altitude, the air pressure outside drops compared to the regulated air pressure inside the cabin.

The difference between the two puts physical stress on the windows – made up of three panes of glass.

There’s a small air gap in between the middle and outer panes and the hole is actually in the middle pane.

If you ever wondered what it’s called – it’s a “breather” or “bleed hole – and it balances the pressure between the cabin and the air gap.

So no need to panic if you ever notice those holes. But it is good to know why they’re there. If you’re like me, flying on a plane is always terrifying, no matter how old I get (or irrational the fear!). So this helps a little.

Rachel Alexander

Rachel Alexander is the editor of Intellectual Conservative. She is a senior editor at The Stream, and is a regular contributor to Townhall, the Selous Foundation for Public Policy Research, and The Christian Post, and provides weekend news items for Right Wing News. She frequently appears on TV and news radio as a conservative commentator. She is a recovering attorney and former gun magazine editor. She previously served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona, corporate attorney for Go Daddy Software, and Special Assistant/Deputy County Attorney for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. As co-president of the UW Political Science Honor Society, she obtained degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Washington, followed by a law degree from Boston College and the University of Arizona. She was ranked by Right Wing News as one of the 50 Best Conservative Columnists from 2011-2017.