The Reason Why Most Plane Seats Are Blue - Color Psychology

Ever wonder why nearly all planes have blue seats? You've probably never noticed. Or why brand new models are still equipped with ash trays when it's illegal to smoke on board these days? Well wonder no more. Here we unpack some of lesser-known facts behind the design of an aircraft cabin.
Why seats are generally blue

From Ryanair and British Airways to American Airlines (the world’s largest carrier), airlines across the board incorporate various shades of blue in their cabin seats, and it’s no coincidence. There does appear to be some psychology behind it.

Blue is associated with the positive qualities of “trust, efficiency, serenity, coolness, reflection and calm,” according to Colour Affects, the London-based consultancy run by Angela Wright, author of The Beginner’s Guide to Colour Psychology.

Nigel Goode, lead aviation designer and co-founder at Priestman Goode, which has been delivering aircraft interiors for 30 years for airlines, including most recently the Airbus Airspace cabins, states: "Our job as designers is to reinforce the airline’s brand and make it more recognisable, but our primary concern is to deliver an interior that maximises comfort to create a pleasant environment. “It’s all about making the travelling experience less stressful and blue is said to evoke a feeling of calm. While some of the more budget airlines might use brasher, bolder shades, most others go with muted tones. The overarching aim is to create a home-like relaxing feel, so airlines tend to use muted colours that feel domestic, natural and earthy for that reason."

It's also a trend that emerged decades ago and has simply stuck, he added: “Blue became the colour of choice because it’s a conservative, non-contentious, corporate shade that symbolises being trustworthy and safe, so you see it used in all of the older airlines like British Airways.”

Several previous studies have indicated strong links between colours and consumer perceptions of a brand, including one where researchers found that up to 90 per cent of snap judgments about products are made based on colour alone, Psychology Today reported back in 2014.