05 May 2023 , 16:07
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Travel experts have explained why window blinds on a plane must be kept open on take-off and landing.
When on a long flight, a number of questions may come to mind, such as 'Why are there small holes in the windows ' and 'Where is the best place to join the mile high club?'
Another, completely understandable query passengers may have relates to the shutters on the windows, and flight attendants' demands that they must be kept up at certain times.
It turns out cabin crew don't just share a love of early morning sunshine and watching the lights of the Luton cityscape stretch out below, but are making sure the windows are unobstructed for safety reasons.
"It’s for your own safety," Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport explained in a blog post.
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Flight attendants insist on keeping the blinds open at certain times (Getty Images/EyeEm)"If anything happens during take-off and landing – the riskiest stages of every flight – then your eyes will already be used to the dark or the light outside, and you’ll be able to react more quickly.
"That’s also the reason why the lights in the cabin are dimmed for take-off and landing."
An extra safety related reason is that open blinds might help crew identify any potential issues in the case of an emergency, and help them work out how to evacuate the plane.
A spokesperson from the Flight Safety Foundation told Condé Nast Traveler: “From a safety standpoint, open shades help improve situational awareness.
Windows in planes are also kept oval shaped (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"For example, during an emergency evacuation, flight attendants or passengers need to be able to see outside to determine whether it’s safe to open and use an emergency exit. You don’t want to send someone out an over-wing exit if the engine on that side is still running or on fire.”
According to United’s Airlines Flight Attendants association, the seconds after an emergency situation arises are precious and should not be wasted asking passengers to slide their blinds up.
“When everyone can see outside, we can best evaluate all conditions quickly including seeing the engines, wings, and any potential obstruction prior to initiating an evacuation,” the organisation has said in a statement.
“The moment an evacuation is necessary is not the time to waste precious seconds opening window shades.”
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