Window Covering

Why are window shutters on a plane open when take off and landing?

And why do they also kill the lights?

Public Comments

1. It's for orientation; in case something happens, you know which way is up and which way is down by looking out the window.
2. So as the crew can see if the plane is ok, ie, nothing fallen off the wing and nothing is on fire. If you are sitting in the middle seats you do not have any view out of the windows.
3. The most dangerous times on a flight are take off and landing. Therefore, at these times, the window shades are up so that in case something goes wrong, the passengers and cabin crew can see out of the aircraft to assess the danger. For example, if the plane has crashed, one needs to see out to see if it is safe to open that particular door. The lights are dimmed for the same reason, so that you can see out more easily.
4. Both are done to increase the ability of crew and passengers to see outside the airplane, so that they can assess the danger outside if it is necessary to evacuate the aircraft in an accident. Being able to see outside makes it easier to figure out if an exit is blocked, etc. The low lights let your eyes adjust to darkness at night, and of course the open shutters allow you to see outside. Internal lights have no effect on drivers of vehicles outside the airplane. In a crash, emergency crews search through the entire airplane and try to save all of it and everyone inside, so open window shutters make no difference, and the lights will almost always be off after a crash.
5. I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and we were told in training to make sure the window shades were open during take-off and landing for several reasons. First, the interior lighting should match outside as much as possible for take-off and landing, which is helped by opening the shades. We had to adjust the cabin lighting accordingly, either full-bright for a daytime landing or completely off for a night landing. I've never heard of any concern about airport perimeter vehicles being distracted. This means time isn't lost during an evacuation when people are either blinded by the outside light or need a second to adjust to the dark. It can't be matched exactly but even a slight adjustment either way can help. Second, in a crash, the emergency lights should go on. Even if they didn't, the passengers would have any outside light to help them find an exit. It would help their orientation. In either case, having as much outside light as possible, logically, is helpful. Lastly, after the evacuation, any rescue personnel from outside can see inside the cabin more easily, to see if anyone is trapped inside. There have been claims that it's so that the authorities can do a "body count" after a crash by looking through the windows. This is so absurd and illogical, it doesn't merit comment. This appeared in a book which was meant to be a comedy on the airline industry and now some believe it to be fact. Another small plus, which isn't the reason for the rule, but if anyone gets airsick, it's good if they can see outside. On descent, you can get stuck in a "holding pattern", not fun for those who are prone to getting motion sickness. Seeing the ground, even if far below, helps equalize their inner-ear balance. Please let me remind you that in an emergency evacuation, do NOT grab any of your bags. As soon as the plane comes to a complete stop, follow crew members', and only crew members', instructions. If you are supposed to get out, do so and don't take anything with you. If there is someone else having trouble exiting their seats, evaluate the situation and only help if you can do so quickly. In most cases, it's better to take note of the location, evacuate yourself and immediately tell any rescue personnel on the ground and/or crew members where the help if needed. Hopefully that's information you never need to use! Just a small public service message...that could save your life! It's nice to have the window shades down during the flight but for take-off and landing, the most dangerous portions of the flight, it's more practical to have them up. Everyone really should be awake at those times anyway so even if the sun is in their eyes, they'll be on the ground shortly anyway. Don't be afraid to ask the crew any emergency questions next time you fly!