They would gather small amounts of air from the upper atmosphere.
VOA: special.2010.05.26
The pattern is common when La Nina -- the cooler than normal waters in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific -- influences upperair patterns across the southern United States.
According to the International Air Transport Association, this is because upper-class passengers, although a small minority among international air travelers, account for almost a third of airline revenues.
The tripartite lower grille comprises a blacked-out central portion flanked by large air intakes with upper and lower aero-blades, for extra awesomeness, I suppose.
