When you take a plane for your trip or business journey, I am sure flight attendants will ask passengers to use window shades. However, the question is: why do we do it?
According to aviation safety experts, when the plane is prepared to take off, which is the most dangerous stage of flight, most accidents occur during these two stages.
The window covers need to be open so that, in the event of an emergency, the crew can immediately decide which side of the aircraft is safest to use for the emergency exits.
In addition, opening the curtains during takeoff and landing has the following benefits:
It is safe on top
In a post from Schiphol International Airport, the statement wrote, "It’s for your safety."
You will be able to react faster if something goes wrong during takeoff and landing, which are the most dangerous parts of any flight because your eyes will be acclimated to the darkness or light outside. That’s also the reason why the lights in the cabin are dimmed for take-off and landing.
Passengers can observe and use the exits in emergencies
Many passengers prefer to look out the window to quickly spot any anomalies outside, such as signs of damage to wings, engines, or unusual objects, and notify the crew.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends: “Smoke or a fire inside the cabin may not be visible to emergency services from the outside with the shades closed. Their ability to determine the best location to enter an aircraft is just another reason shades should be open.”
The window shades being up during the takeoff and landing of an aircraft is helpful for the eyes of passengers
For daytime flights, opening the windows helps passengers' eyes better adjust to the light. During an emergency escape, the light contrast will not change suddenly and damage vision.
To ensure the safety of passengers in an emergency
On night flights, if something goes wrong, the open windows make it easier for rescuers on the ground to see what's going on inside the plane.
Flight attendants or passengers must be able to see outside during an emergency evacuation in order to judge when it is safe to open and use an emergency exit.
