I believe most aircraft these days have zones for the A/C which can be individually set. A polite request is usually all it takes, especially if you are the first to comment.
I read a lot of people complaining about the temperature in the trains in Brisbane. If I am wearing a singlet and shirt and sit under the vent I feel the cold but if I put my jacket on I am OK. This temperature setting is way too cold.
Same with an aircraft cabin. For long haul flights I generally wear a singlet, shirt and jacket and find the temperature on most aircraft fine. I suspect it is set to ~22-23 degrees. I shouldnt have to wrap myself in a blanket because the temperature setting is too cold.
Another issue with any airconditioning system that is not usually considered is the volume of air generated by the aircon. High levels of air throughput, regardless of the air temperature, make the body feel cold. Conversely, low volumes of air make the body feel warm. So, when we ask the FA to change the temperature, maybe we should be asking them about the fan speed.
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