Real reason there’s still ‘no smoking’ signs on planes despite being banned three decades ago

If you ever been onboard a plane, then you know the safety routine by heart at this point.

Safety instructions are located in the front of your chair, oxygen masks will drop above your head in a state of emergency and no smoking on the aircraft at any point during the flight.

Lo and behold, there's a little cigarette with a big cross on it next to your seatbelt sign.

It's also why flight attendants still make sure to point them out to you.

You might have noticed the no smoking signs, even though smoking was banned decades ago. Surely it's stating the obvious?

But while it might seem part of the travelling experience, it's probably crossed your mind at least once as to why - and it turns out there's a valid reason why they are still up.

Some of the signs onboard might seem obvious (Getty Stock Images)

Maddi Bourgerie is a travel expert at RVshare, and she explained why they are still essential even in 2024.

She told Thrillist: "While no smoking signs may seem like an old and outdated practice, they are still a necessity for a few different reasons.”

Maddi continued: "There are aviation regulations in place that require airlines to maintain a no-smoking policy.

"Which is largely due to the flammability of materials in the cabin."

She explained: "The signs reinforce a smoke-free environment for all passengers and crew."

It's also for legal reasons, as Maddi revealed it also gives the airline some protection if an incident happened linked to smoking - and any potential lawsuits that may arise too.

It might seem obvious, but people still need to be told not to smoke. (Getty Stock Images)

Basically it's an easy way to say "we told you so!"

There's also an element of nostalgia to it as well, as she says: "Many procedures and protocols in aviation are maintained for consistency and familiarity, and the no smoking sign has become a standard part of the in-flight experience."

Vapes and e-cigarettes have been banned on planes since 2015, with smoking banned some 25 years before that.

According to Flight Right, lighting up a ciggie on the plane can come with some penalties, ranging from fines to potential imprisonment.

As per The Sun, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently ruled that there should no longer be an 'off' switch for no smoking signs after a malfunction occurred in February, leading to some flights being delayed.

This means that every American plane from a US airline will have a no smoking sign that remains lit at all times - staying on throughout taxiing, take-off, while cruising at altitude and then landing.