12 hours ago
Revealed: The real reason flags are painted backwards on planes
A travel expert has revealed the curious reason why flags on planes are often painted on backwards.
While it's not compulsory, many airlines have a national flag near the plane's cockpit or on the side of the fuselage.
But why is the flag often painted on backwards?
According to aviation expert Corry Lane, director of safety at Cirrus Aviation Service, the United States Code has specific rules for how flags should be displayed.
The expert told Reader's Digest: '[The code] states that when the flag is displayed on a moving vehicle - like an airplane - it should appear as though it's flying in the wind as the vehicle moves forward.'
This means that when a flag is on the right side of a plane, it appears to be reversed, so that it looks like it's flying forwards in the wind.
And it's not unique to the USA.
In 2024, an X user 'Dave Nolan', posted a photo of a Ryanair plane with the Irish flag the wrong way round.
Corry Lane, director of safety at Cirrus Aviation Service, says the United States Code states flags 'should appear as though it's flying in the wind as the vehicle moves forward'
He wrote: 'Ryanair did yee lads move to the Ivory Coast? With the weather we are having I don't blame yee at all.'
The Ivory Coast has a similar flag to Ireland but the orange and green stripe are the opposite way round.
Just like in the USA, the flag is painted backwards to look as though it's flying forwards in the wind.
In other aviation news, a flight attendant has revealed the most disgusting habits that passengers have.
