How Loud Are Airplanes? A Shocking Comparison Between Cabin Noise and OSHA Workplace Limit

If you've ever stepped off a plane with ringing ears or a pounding headache, you're not imagining things—commercial airliners are noisy. Most passengers don't realize how loud airplane cabins can get or how that noise compares to what OSHA considers safe for American workers. When you put the numbers side by side, the results are startling—and they raise fundamental questions about passenger comfort and crew safety in the skies.

The typical noise level inside a commercial aircraft during flight ranges from 75 to 85 decibels, depending on the type of plane, seating location, and flight phase. Sit near the engine, especially behind the wings, and you might experience sound levels creeping up toward 90 decibels. During takeoff or landing, that number can briefly spike even higher—often above 95 decibels.

By comparison, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a legal limit of 90 decibels over an 8-hour workday for U.S. workers. For every 5-decibel increase, the allowable exposure time is cut in half. That means at 95 decibels, OSHA says you shouldn't be exposed for more than four hours. At 100 decibels, just two hours. Prolonged exposure at these levels can lead to permanent hearing loss, so industrial workers wear with ear protection and noise-reducing gear.

Airline passengers don't typically spend eight hours at peak noise levels, but long-haul flights can last that long—or even longer. For pilots and flight attendants, the exposure accumulates throughout a multi-leg shift, sometimes exceeding what OSHA would permit in a factory or construction site. Yet these employees are not routinely issued hearing protection, and passengers cannot cope with the noise independently.

The source of cabin noise is a combination of jet engine hum, aerodynamic airflow around the fuselage, and vibrations from the aircraft. Older planes, like the MD-80 series, are particularly loud, especially near the rear where engines are mounted. Modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 are designed with noise-reducing technologies, including quieter engines and sound-insulating materials. Still, even the most silent cabins don't fall below 70 decibels, which exceeds the background noise in most workplaces.

Moreover, the health effects of aircraft noise go beyond potential hearing loss. Constant exposure to low-frequency sound has been linked to increased stress, poor sleep, and fatigue, especially among frequent flyers and crew members. While regulations exist for airline worker safety, enforcement is inconsistent, and OSHA protections do not cover passengers.

As airlines race to improve fuel efficiency and comfort, cabin noise often gets overlooked. But as anyone who's flown cross-country or internationally can tell you, quieter planes aren't just about luxury—they're a matter of health. More research, precise regulation, and industry-wide innovation will be needed to address the hidden toll of flying in a high-decibel workplace at 35,000 feet.
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If you're a frequent traveler or part of a flight crew, consider investing in high-quality noise-canceling headphones. Your ears—and your long-term health—may thank you.