Eli5: what does airplane cabins pressurized to 8,000 ft mean and how does that not feel like breathing at high altitude?

Question

People will visit Denver or New Mexico and feel the altitude at only 6,000 feet or so. They’ll get winded or headaches or other issues till they adjust after a few days.

So how come we breathe without issue on planes if they’re pressurized to 8,000 feet?

In: 11

Answer 1

You’re not trying to walk five blocks in an airliner, so there is no opportunity to get winded.