At what cabin altitude should passengers receive oxygen masks?

Passengers should receive oxygen masks when the cabin altitude reaches 14,000 feet. This altitude is significant because it marks the point at which the oxygen levels in the air can become insufficient for the average person to breathe comfortably without supplemental oxygen.

When an aircraft experiences a rapid decompression or loss of cabin pressure, maintaining adequate oxygen levels becomes critical for passenger safety. At elevations above 14,000 feet, the risk of hypoxia increases, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues in the body. Therefore, airlines are required to provide oxygen masks to ensure that passengers can breathe adequately and remain conscious until the aircraft descends to a safer altitude where supplemental oxygen is not necessary.

This safety measure is part of the regulatory compliance by airlines to protect passengers in the event of emergency situations involving cabin pressure changes.