If you've flown on a plane, you may have been reminded to open the window shades during takeoff or landing. This seemingly unimportant routine plays a part in ensuring your safety during an emergency.

attendants to open the airplane window shades before takeoff and landing, and while this might seem like a simple or even trivial request, it actually serves several important safety and operational ...

Open windows let passengers and crew quickly see hazards outside and help first responders assess conditions. Bright light also helps passengers’ eyes adjust before deplaning. There are two reasons I ...

Raising window blinds during takeoff and landing on an airplane may seem like just a routine, somewhat cumbersome procedure. Meanwhile, as it turns out, there is an important safety reason behind this ...

It’s an airplane command that feels slightly mysterious: keep window shades up during takeoff and landing. While it might seem like an annoying chore for travelers trying to get some rest on an ...