Airflow in a generic airplane cabin has been investigated numerically by means of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes computations and experimentally by particle image velocimetry (PIV). High and low Reynolds number as well as two layer turbulence models were tested for their ability to describe turbulent velocity fields. Special attention was given to the flow of the incoming air jet along the luggage compartment. Comparison with PIV measurements reveals that for reliable prediction of isothermal cabin flow, low Reynolds number turbulence models have to be used. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.