Airplanes (Inside) Can Be Quite Loud (> 90 dB)

[GregCA]

I recently took a domestic flight in a 737 and measured the noise inside the cabin with my iPhone. It measured 91 - 92 dB fairly constantly.

I found that to be fairly high when I took the reading, but it did feel loud when I took my N/C headphones out, so I think it makes sense.

I was in a seat behind the wings (where the engines are), so that may make a difference.

 

[dayma]

I recently took a domestic flight in a 737 and measured the noise inside the cabin with my iPhone. It measured 91 - 92 dB fairly constantly.

I found that to be fairly high when I took the reading, but it did feel loud when I took my N/C headphones out, so I think it makes sense.

I was in a seat behind the wings (where the engines are), so that may make a difference.

I was just on a United flight (737) in first/business class and I was measuring for fun. I just started measuring because I am curious more than anything. It measured about 80 and spiked to 83.

Ironically my T is usually better after flying .

 

[TheDanishGirl]

That makes sense. The one flight I was on after getting tinnitus was very loud to me. I didn't have a dB meter on me, but I can tell that I couldn't properly hear what my sister said, and she sat right next to me! That's how loud it was.

Next time I am making sure to get a seat in front of the wings AND I will carry big ear muffs.

 

[Luman]

If I ever fly again, I'm going to wear aviation plugs, with N/C headphones a well. I'll also bring the Eustachi to unclog my ears during or after descent.

 

[Jack Straw]

Sitting toward the front of the plane is usually quieter.

 

[Juan]

I recently took a domestic flight in a 737 and measured the noise inside the cabin with my iPhone. It measured 91 - 92 dB fairly constantly.

I found that to be fairly high when I took the reading, but it did feel loud when I took my N/C headphones out, so I think it makes sense.

I was in a seat behind the wings (where the engines are), so that may make a difference.

Where you sit on a plane makes a big difference in terms of noise. The noisiest place is usually near the tail and just after the engines (on a 737 for instance) and the less noise is found at the front rows near the cockpit.

Also the maintenance a plane has (or does not have) may have a impact on the noise it makes. If you look at expensive flights like long distance on an Airbus 380, that plane is just awesome, there's barely noise. And from outside if you see how it takes off and climbs, almost no noise as compared to others.

Flying low cost on a 738 (like the ones Ryanair uses) you can find all sorts of decibels, some of them way higher tan you said, depending on where you sit, whether the plane is in good shape and how the pilots fly it.