17 plane mysteries solved, like what happens if lightning strikes and why they still have ashtrays

Since air travel was invented, planes have always been a source of wonder for the average human being - for a start, how on earth they manage to stay up in the sky.

But there are also a number of more trivial questions that pass through the mind when taking a flight, like why they still have ashtrays in non-smoking planes and why the lights need to be dimmed when the aircraft is landing.

6

A handy infographic by serviced apartments company has now sought to answer most of those niggling queries.

The graph explains all of the typical questions, like why plane food always tastes so bad and why a mobile phone needs to be in airplane mode.

RELATED STORIES

THUNDER AND FRIGHTENING

Bizarre footage appears to show a huge UFO emerging from clouds during storm

'ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED'

Storm Ewan leaves Ryanair passengers VOMITING and forces plane to divert - with more gales on the way

I SPY IN THE SKY

Flight attendants always notice these things about passengers as they board the plane

FLIGHT CLUB

Video shows the rigorous training Singapore Airlines flight attendants go through before landing the job

But it also helps with some technical points, like what happens if the plane gets hit by lightning and what the flaps on the wings are for.

Read on to discover some of the most common questions people have when flying and what the answers are...

6

6

6

6

6