Why Must Window Shades Be Open During Takeoff and Landing?

Keeping airplane window shades open during your flight offers breathtaking views, while lowering them provides added comfort for napping. While the debate over the etiquette of each choice is lively, another significant discussion arises: Should these shades be open or closed during takeoff and landing? The answer varies depending on the airline you choose.

Which Airlines Require Window Shades to Be Up During Takeoff and Landing?

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 300 airlines worldwide and guides industry policy, keeping window shades open during takeoff and landing is recommended as a best practice. This aligns with guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency dedicated to international air navigation and aviation safety, as stated to Dinogo.

However, the final decision rests with the airline. Typically, international airlines, such as British Airways, request that passengers open the shades during takeoff and landing. In contrast, most U.S. airlines have no such requirement.

Why? While the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) establishes minimum standards for aircraft operations and safety, it does not mandate open shades. The decision is left to individual airlines, and most choose not to enforce it.

In February 2022, United became the first and only U.S. airline to request that passengers keep their shades open, but it quickly reversed this policy in March 2022 to align with other carriers and provide clearer guidance for travelers. During that brief period, it remained a request rather than a requirement.

In a statement to Dinogo, United confirmed that they still 'encourage, but do not mandate' that window shades be open. The airline emphasizes that this promotes better visibility during takeoff and landing.

Why is it important to keep window shades open during takeoff and landing?

There is a valid reason for keeping window shades open during takeoff and landing, which are deemed the most critical phases of a flight: safety. In case of an emergency, flight attendants are trained to check for debris, fire, or smoke outside before starting an evacuation.

Keeping all window shades open facilitates a quicker and easier assessment of outside conditions, which is why most airlines ensure that exit-row windows remain open during takeoff and landing, regardless of their policies for other rows.

According to KLM, 'Our flight manuals require flight attendants to ensure that shades are open at emergency exits during takeoff. This is crucial for assessing outside conditions in case of emergencies.'

Passengers may also need to assist with this safety check, as there might be instances when a flight attendant is not near an exit door or may be unable to check themselves. Therefore, if you're seated in an exit row, you may be responsible for observing external conditions before opening the door.

There are additional advantages to keeping window shades open during takeoff and landing. One benefit is that it helps passengers' eyes adjust to outside light, which is vital in case of an emergency. Whether it’s bright outside or dark at night, having your eyes acclimated to external conditions can aid in a quick evacuation. This is also why cabin lights are typically dimmed during these phases.

Lastly, with the shades open, emergency personnel on the ground can detect any fire or smoke inside the cabin during an emergency landing or crash.

Varieties of Window Shades on Different Aircraft

On certain regional jets, like the CRJ-900 frequently operated under Delta Connection or American Eagle, the first-class passenger in seat 1A is typically instructed to keep their window shade open. This is necessary because flight attendants do not have full-size windows in the galley, making it essential for them to use the passenger's window to assess whether it is safe to open the door in an emergency. In some regional jets, the exit-row window may not even have a shade, ensuring that flight attendants maintain a clear line of sight.

You may have noticed that the exit-row window shade slides up from the bottom instead of the conventional top-down motion. This design accommodates the door release handle, which is located above the window, leaving no space for the shade to be stowed upward. The inverted design also prevents the window shade from unintentionally slamming down during a hard landing or crash. Gravity could cause it to close or get stuck, obstructing the view.

Then there are modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, which do not feature traditional window shades at all. Instead, they employ an electronic dimming system that allows some visibility through the window while still providing shade. Additionally, a locking mechanism is available for the crew to keep the windows transparent during takeoff and landing.

Has this requirement truly saved lives?

There have been numerous cases where passengers have observed unusual occurrences through their windows and alerted the crew. For instance, a United Airlines passenger on a recent flight from Newark to Venice informed the flight staff about significant fuel leaking from the wing, potentially averting a serious inflight disaster. Similarly, in a 2013 British Airways incident, engine covers opened after takeoff, and the issue was visible through the windows, allowing the crew to execute a swift emergency landing.