The Real Reason Some Airlines Use Mesh Curtains

Intro

After traveling to well over 123 countries across the world, and reviewing airlines from Yemenia to Batik Air, there has always been a question that gets asked that I figure I would address.

Why do some airlines use mesh curtains, and other airlines use regular curtains?

The Real Reason

Unfortunately, aviation is designed in such a way that the FAA has outlawed doors being allowed on planes, and rightfully so. If doors were to separate cabins and didn't open upon an emergency landing, or a passenger did not know where the closest emergency exit was, this would become a safety concern.

With doors being ruled out, airlines resorted to curtains. Across the likes of Asia, these are typically placed between business class and economy class to provide passengers in business with a sense of privacy.

As you can see here on Batik Air

However, when it comes to most airlines in the United States, these curtains become mesh, and there are a few reasons why:

• Flight attendants are "supposed" to have a direct view of the zone they are working in after 9/11.

  • Doesn't make much sense considering that at the back of the plane on a 737, the jumpseats face backwards...

• Mesh curtains are much easier to clean (if at all), so airlines can scrape by on not having to waste time with the plane on the ground.

• Mesh curtains are about 7lb lighter. While on paper this doesn't sound like much, it can make a significant difference over the lifespan of an aircraft. Millions in dollars saved...

Yes, even in long-haul business class on US Airlines, they have mesh curtains in the second cabin (if there is a second cabin on said plane)

But I think that there might be a hidden reason: to keep an eye on passengers. Incidents happen all over the world on planes, but the US is especially bad when it comes to onboard incidents, and this provides (literally and metaphorically) the most transparency.

Do Mesh Curtains Matter

Obviously, when we talk about mesh curtains versus real curtains, we are talking about a very minor issue that is, realistically, a first-world problem. However, while small, this does make a difference when flying business class to me for a few different reasons.

• It is noisier when sitting in the rear cabin of a widebody, with premium economy often behind.

• It lacks a sense of privacy, with people being able to peek through if needed.

• It doesn't give off the cocoon feel. When you have fully surrounded walls and curtains, you truly do feel like you are in business class, rather than just "a bigger seat with elevated service".

Granted, for most people, this isn't really a big deal, but as I always sit at the back of aircraft (more on that soon), it is something that goes through my head frequently.

Hey, at least it is not as bad as Air Dolomiti with the saddest looking curtains I have ever seen in my life 😂.

What is going on here? I know more airlines do this, so no shade for calling Air Dolomiti out.

Final Thoughts

If you have ever wondered why certain airlines use mesh curtains, and other airlines use actual curtains, the real reasons are that cabin crew are supposed to have a direct view of their working zone, it is cheaper for the airline, they are much easier to clean, and in my opinion, it is much easier to keep an eye on the passengers throughout the flight. However, I think that real curtains really do make a difference on a flight, and I would love to see more airlines implement them...