What are the typical cabin altitude and differential pressure limits on the A320?

• A. Cabin altitude limited to about 7,000 feet; maximum differential pressure around 7.2 psi.
• B. Cabin altitude limited to about 8,000 feet; maximum differential pressure around 8.6 psi.
• C. Cabin altitude limited to about 9,500 feet; maximum differential pressure around 6.5 psi.
• D. Cabin altitude limited to about 10,000 feet; maximum differential pressure around 8.6 psi.

Answer: (B)

Push the idea that the airplane’s pressurization keeps the cabin at a comfortable altitude while the fuselage must tolerate a certain amount of pressure difference between inside and outside. For the A320, the cabin is typically kept at about 8,000 feet. That means, even when flying at much higher true altitudes, the air inside feels like you’re at roughly 8,000 feet above sea level. The structure is built to withstand a maximum differential pressure of about 8.6 psi, which is the highest push the cabin can maintain relative to the outside without risking damage to the fuselage. Together, these limits balance passenger comfort with structural integrity across the flight regime. Other published number pairs don’t match the aircraft’s certified pressurization envelope, so they aren’t the typical specifications for this airplane.