Why are the curtains on the plane windows opened when landing?

 Why are the curtains on the plane windows opened when landing?

You may find it annoying to keep the window shades open during air travel, but it is primarily intended to ensure the safety of passengers.

According to the NDTV website, if you have ever traveled on a commercial flight, you must have heard a polite request from the flight attendant before the plane landed, "Please keep your window shades open."

At first glance, you might think that this is an unnecessary inconvenience, as if the window shades are up or down, what difference does it make? However, this little guideline from the flight crew is not about the comfort of the passengers.

There is a big safety reason behind this guideline. In fact, it is a guideline that every airline around the world follows, why do flight crews insist so much on keeping the window shades up? Let’s find out.

Here are five reasons to keep the window shades open during landing

1. Helps to understand emergencies quickly

Take-off and landing are considered the most dangerous phases of a flight. If the window shades are open, both passengers and flight crew can see emergencies such as smoke, sparks or fire.

If an emergency occurs, instead of wasting valuable time trying to figure out which part of the plane can be safely evacuated, everyone can be prepared to deal with the situation quickly if the shades are open.

2. Flight crew and passengers remain alert

When the window shades on a plane are down, the cabin feels dark and cozy, which can make passengers drowsy or distracted.

At first glance, you might think that this is an unnecessary inconvenience, as if the window shades are up or down, what difference does it

Airline crews keep the shades open to keep passengers mentally alert during critical phases of the flight.

It also makes it easier for flight attendants to check the cabin and assess passenger reactions. This practice keeps everyone in a ‘stay alert mode’.

3. Prepare your eyes for sudden light

Imagine a plane landing in broad daylight and suddenly needing to evacuate in an emergency. If the window shades are closed, it will take time for passengers’ eyes to adjust to the bright light outside.

Similarly, at night, when the window shades are open, the eyes adjust better to the outside environment. Immediate visual adaptation allows for faster and less confusing movement during evacuation.

4. Know which exit routes are safe

When the window shades on a plane are down, the cabin feels dark and cozy, which can make passengers drowsy or distracted.

In the event of an unusual emergency landing, not all exit routes may be safe. For example, there may be fire, smoke, or obstructions on one side of the plane. Having the window shades open gives the crew an immediate idea of ​​which side is safe to evacuate.

Passengers can also see the outside world clearly and follow instructions with confidence.

5. Follow international aviation rules

The rule of keeping window shades open is specific to every airline in the world. It is an internationally recognized aviation rule.

Aviation organizations consider this practice as part of overall safety measures. By implementing this rule internationally, airlines ensure that passengers and crew are trained for the same safety measures, no matter where you travel in the world.