Why Do Airlines Ask You To Open Window Shades During Takeoff And Landing

Air travel is filled with small rituals: fastening seatbelts, stowing carry-ons, turning off electronic devices—and yes, raising the window shade. While it may seem like a minor detail, the instruction to keep window shades open during takeoff and landing is rooted in aviation safety protocols that have been refined over decades. Unlike arbitrary rules, this one serves multiple critical functions, from aiding crew assessments to preparing passengers for potential emergencies. Understanding the rationale behind this practice reveals how even the smallest actions contribute to overall flight safety.

The Critical Phases of Flight: Takeoff and Landing

Takeoff and landing are universally recognized as the most vulnerable phases of any flight. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), approximately 70% of all aviation accidents occur during these stages. The combination of low altitude, high workload for pilots, proximity to terrain, and mechanical complexity increases risk significantly. Because response time is limited during emergencies at low altitudes, every second counts.

In these moments, cabin crews must be fully aware of both internal and external conditions. Open window shades allow natural light to enter the cabin, helping passengers and crew adjust their vision more quickly in case of sudden changes—such as an emergency evacuation requiring movement from a dark cabin into bright daylight or vice versa. More importantly, they provide visual access to the outside environment, which can be crucial when assessing threats like fire, wing damage, or obstacles near the aircraft.

Tip: If you're seated by a window, use the time during taxiing to observe the wings and engines. You might notice something unusual before anyone else.

Situational Awareness for Crew and Passengers

Cabin crew members are trained to conduct rapid threat assessments during emergencies. An open window shade gives them immediate visual information about conditions on the side of the aircraft they cannot directly see. For example, if an engine catches fire on the right wing, a flight attendant on the left side of the plane would rely on passenger observations or window views to understand the full scope of danger.

Passengers also play an indirect but valuable role. In several documented incidents, alert passengers noticed smoke, flames, or structural issues through windows and alerted crew members, enabling faster responses. When shades are closed, that early-warning system is effectively disabled.

Moreover, lighting consistency between the cabin interior and exterior reduces disorientation. If an evacuation becomes necessary, passengers exiting into bright sunlight will adapt more quickly if their eyes are already adjusted. Conversely, if evacuating at night, dimmed cabin lights combined with open shades help preserve night vision.

“Every open window is another set of eyes for the crew. In an emergency, that visibility can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and confusion.” — Captain Lydia Chen, Retired Commercial Pilot and Aviation Safety Consultant

Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Efficiency

Commercial aircraft are designed for rapid evacuation—regulations require that all passengers can exit within 90 seconds using half the available exits. This timeline assumes optimal coordination, clear communication, and minimal confusion. Open window shades support this goal in several ways.

First, they allow cabin crew to assess whether an exit is safe to use. For instance, if there’s fire or water near a door, stewards need to redirect passengers to alternate exits. Without visual confirmation from windows, they must rely solely on sensors or reports, which may lag behind real-time developments.

Second, passengers near windows can assist by reporting what they see. While not expected to take action, their observations can inform crew decisions. This collaborative awareness strengthens the overall safety net.

Third, psychological readiness improves when passengers are visually connected to the outside world. Being able to see the runway, weather conditions, or airport surroundings fosters a sense of context and control, reducing panic during unexpected events.

Real-World Example: British Airways Flight 38 (2008)

On January 17, 2008, British Airways Flight 38, a Boeing 777, crash-landed just short of Heathrow Airport’s runway due to ice crystals clogging fuel lines. Although the aircraft remained intact and no lives were lost, the incident highlighted the importance of rapid post-impact assessment.

Survivors reported that many window shades were open during the final approach, allowing passengers and crew to immediately recognize the abnormal descent angle and surrounding terrain. After impact, those with window views quickly identified undamaged exits on the non-impacted side, guiding others toward safer egress routes. Investigators later noted that situational awareness contributed significantly to the successful evacuation of 152 people.

Light Adaptation and Visual Acclimatization

The human eye requires time to adjust between light and dark environments—a process known as dark adaptation (for transitioning to low light) and light adaptation (for bright conditions). Full dark adaptation can take up to 30 minutes, while light adaptation occurs more quickly but still takes several seconds.

During an emergency evacuation, especially at night, passengers emerging from a brightly lit cabin into darkness could stumble or misjudge distances. Conversely, exiting into direct sunlight after sitting in a darkened cabin can cause temporary blindness. Open window shades help balance interior lighting with external conditions, easing this transition.

Airlines often dim cabin lights during nighttime takeoffs and landings specifically to begin this adaptation process. When paired with open shades, the effect is amplified. Even ambient city lights or runway illumination filtering through windows provides enough reference points to maintain spatial orientation.

Condition	With Open Shades	With Closed Shades
Night Landing	Passengers’ eyes partially adapted to darkness; easier to see outside upon evacuation	Sudden exposure to darkness may cause disorientation
Daytime Emergency	Natural light helps assess exterior hazards; smoother transition outside	Bright sunlight may temporarily blind evacuees
Crew Assessment	Immediate visual access to wings, engines, and ground conditions	Delayed awareness; reliance on instruments or verbal reports
Passenger Awareness	Can report visible anomalies (fire, smoke, water)	Limited ability to observe external threats

Regulatory Standards and Industry Practices

The requirement to open window shades during takeoff and landing is not arbitrary—it’s embedded in international aviation safety standards. Regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandate procedures that enhance cabin safety during critical phases.

While these agencies don’t always specify \"open shades\" verbatim in regulations, they do require airlines to implement measures that ensure \"passenger and crew readiness for emergency evacuation\" and \"optimal situational awareness.\" Airlines interpret these guidelines to include shade policies, among other practices like upright seatbacks and stowed tray tables.

Additionally, airline operating manuals (known as FOMs—Flight Operations Manuals) typically include explicit instructions for cabin crew to verify that window shades are open during pre-takeoff and pre-landing checks. Non-compliance by passengers is rare but can result in crew intervention, underscoring the seriousness of the rule.

Tip: If you prefer privacy, close the shade once the plane reaches cruising altitude. Most airlines allow it, provided you reopen it before descent.

Checklist: What You Should Do During Takeoff and Landing

• Keep your window shade open unless instructed otherwise
• Ensure your seatback is upright and tray table stowed
• Fasten your seatbelt low and tight across your hips
• Review emergency exit locations (especially if you’re in an exit row)
• Keep your shoes and glasses accessible in case of evacuation
• Pay attention to the safety briefing, even if you’ve heard it before

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I keep my window shade closed for privacy?

While privacy is understandable, safety takes precedence during critical flight phases. The few minutes of openness during takeoff and landing support collective safety. Once the aircraft is at cruising altitude, you’re generally free to adjust the shade as desired.

Do all airlines enforce this rule?

Virtually all commercial airlines do. It's a standard part of global aviation safety culture. Some budget carriers may be less strict during boarding, but compliance is required before takeoff and landing.

What happens if I forget to open my shade?

Cabin crew will usually remind you. Repeated refusal to comply could be considered interference with crew instructions, which is a violation of aviation law in many countries and may result in penalties or being barred from future flights.

Conclusion: A Small Act with Major Safety Implications

Opening a window shade seems trivial—until you consider what’s at stake. That small patch of sky or ground outside your window isn’t just scenery; it’s a vital source of information, a tool for adaptation, and a safeguard in emergencies. The next time a flight attendant asks you to raise the shade, remember: you’re not just following a rule. You’re participating in a layered safety system designed to protect everyone on board.

Air travel thrives on routine, precision, and shared responsibility. Every passenger action—from securing luggage to listening to briefings—contributes to a safer journey. By keeping your window shade open during takeoff and landing, you’re doing your part to ensure that if something goes wrong, everyone has the best possible chance to respond quickly and safely.

💬 Have you ever noticed something important through an airplane window? Share your experience in the comments and help others understand the value of staying aware at 30,000 feet.