Having a window seat on a flight is a luxury most travelers want. But do you know why flight attendants ask passengers to keep the window shades up during flight takeoff and landing? Most of you might be aware, but according to experts, safety is the primary reason flight attendants ask passengers to open the window shades during critical phases of a flight, just like wearing a seat belt.
The founder of Aviation Training India, Colonel Rajgopalan, said that “These requests may seem trivial, but as someone who’s worked as a flight attendant for nearly a decade, I can ensure that safety is the foremost priority. If anything happens during a takeoff or landing, your eyes will already be used to the day or night light outside; thus, you will be able to react more quickly.”
“The first reason is your safety. If anything happens during a take-off or landing, your eyes will already be used to the day or night light outside; thus, you will be able to react more quickly,” he added.
Why do open windows and safety protocols matter?
Another aviation expert and analyst, Dhairyashil Vandekar, asserted that situational awareness and orientation are both essential aspects for the crew and passengers. Situational awareness makes passengers feel better to see surroundings outside and keep them alert. Orientation includes briefing by the crew that passengers adhere to. More than just a view, opening windows is part of the overall safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers.
Every protocol enforced, preparing the cabin for either the beginning or end of a flight, is designed to aid with efficiency in the event of an emergency evacuation. According to Airbus’s report, most of the accidents occurred over the last two decades, between 2002 to 2024, during takeoff, approach, and landing phases. The report noted that approach and landing are highly complex flight phases, which place crucial demands on the crew regarding navigation, aircraft configuration changes, communication with Air Traffic Control, congested airspace, and degraded weather conditions.
Why keeping window shades open can save lives
Keeping window shades up is more valuable to see the visibility of the aircraft outside. Rajgopalan said, “if any problems occur with the engine and wings, such as fire, the crew can see it out of those tiny round windows in the cabin. In this situation they can see which side of the aircraft is safer for evacuation, and they do this.”
However, experts suggest that window blinds should be open during critical flight stages. It helps all the passengers and crew members to enjoy keeping their journey safe to their destination. When you are going to travel in an airplane, you should be aware of your safety along with the pleasure of seeing the visibility outside through the small window shade.
