Why Passenger Planes Are Always White!

Dhaka: It is rare to find someone who hasn't seen a picture of an airplane, even if they haven't seen one in real life. One thing that often comes to mind when we see planes is that most of them are white. Is this a rule? Interestingly, there is no strict requirement for planes to be white. So why are passenger planes predominantly white?

Whenever you board a commercial airline, you will notice that the plane is almost always white, with some coloring around the airline's logo and the tail section. But there are several reasons why white is the color of choice for passenger planes. Let’s take a look at why this is the case.

1) Temperature Regulation

The first reason is to maintain the temperature balance inside the aircraft. The plane is directly exposed to the harsh rays of the sun, and to prevent the machinery and cabin from overheating, the plane is painted white. The scientific reason behind this is that white reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it. This is why people are advised to wear light-colored clothes during hot weather, as white absorbs less heat. Whether the plane is parked under the blazing sun for hours or in the air, the interior will stay cooler.

2) Reflects Sunlight

Passenger planes fly at high altitudes, where they are exposed to intense ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. White paint reflects sunlight, which helps protect the aircraft from harmful UV radiation. White paint reflects up to 99% of the sun’s rays, making it effective at shielding the plane from the sun's damaging effects.

3) Easier to Spot Damage

White is a practical color because it makes it easier to spot any damage on the plane, such as cracks or scratches on the fuselage or wings. Darker colors can hide these marks, but with white, it is much easier to detect any wear and tear, ensuring the aircraft is properly maintained and safe for flight.

4) Durability

Airplanes face many environmental challenges, from storms and rain to lightning strikes. If planes were painted in darker colors, they would fade quickly and look worn. However, white paint is more resistant to fading and lasts longer, making it ideal for enduring the wear and tear caused by extreme weather conditions.

5) Safety Signal

Collisions with birds in mid-air are not uncommon, and they have led to significant accidents. To reduce the risk, planes are painted white so that birds can easily identify them from a distance. If the planes were painted a different color, birds might not be able to distinguish them clearly from the surrounding environment, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, white also acts as a safety signal in the sky.

6) Cost-Effective

Painting a large aircraft is an expensive process, and airlines choose white to save money. A Boeing 737 requires at least 240 liters of paint, while an Airbus A380 needs around 3,600 liters. No matter what color is used, the cost of paint adds up. White is the least expensive option, making it the preferred choice for most airlines.

7) Weight Savings

Painting a plane with a darker color requires multiple layers of paint, which adds to the aircraft's overall weight. More weight means more fuel consumption. Since white paint is lighter, it helps keep the plane's weight down, making it a more economical option.

However, not all planes are white. A notable exception is Air New Zealand, which has challenged traditional design standards by painting some of its planes black. This distinctive black color was first introduced to celebrate the Rugby World Cup, and now the airline includes at least one black plane in each of its fleet models as a symbol of national pride.

This distinctive design choice has made Air New Zealand's aircraft stand out and embraced black as a unique identity for the airline.