Passengers onboard an international Jetstar flight witnessed an eerie phenomenon as a dense blanket of mist suddenly filled the inside of the aircraft’s cabin.
Travellers on the flight from Denpasar, Bali to Melbourne watched the scene unfold as the plane’s air conditioning system began pumping thick white clouds of vapour from the overhead vents.
One passenger and Melbourne local, Giselle, likened the creepy sight to a “horror movie” as the visibility inside the aircraft dropped dramatically.
Unable to see beyond the three rows in front of her, Giselle captured the creepy spectacle on video, later sharing it online.
“I couldn’t see more than about two or three rows ahead and it stayed that way the entire time we sat on the tarmac,” she said in voice overlay in the clip.
“It felt like the start of a a horror movie.”
The footage shows a blanket of mist engulfing the cabin as some passengers reached to turn off their individual air conditioners as the plane sat on the tarmac before take-off.
Despite the alarming appearance, Giselle explained the unnerving experience was likely due to condensation caused by warm moist air being rapidly cooled by the air conditioner.
“I understand there can be an issue with condensation on planes when it comes to the air conditioning system if there’s a big difference between the temperature outside and inside, but this was my Jetstar flight last night and this was a little bit insane,” she said.
“Something told me the plane’s air conditioning was working overtime.”
According to aviation experts, the condensation appears because the aircraft moves form cold, moist air into warmer, drier air, causing the moisture in the air to briefly condense and become visible.
The consequential “fogging effect” usually dissipates after a few minutes as the moisture disperses.
People in the comments made light of the unusual sight with a dose of humour.
“I love feeling like a vegetable at the grocery store,” one person wrote.
“Looks like a nightclub in the early 90s,” another joked.
Others confirmed Giselle’s comment that the bizarre scene was a harmless occurrence.
“I am Cabin Crew who was based in Cairns and now Adelaide, predominantly operating flights to Bali. I have experienced this more times than I can count. Rest assured this is completely normal, as mentioned due to humidity outside the aircraft. Everyone is safe!” a third said.
“Definitely normal especially if you are in Bali or North Queensland,” added another.
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