Aperture up, aperture down – why the window has to be open during take-off and landing

Created: 01/16/2023, 03:00 p.m

By: Anna Heyers

When planes take off and land, passengers are always asked to open the window shades and put the seats in the upright position.

But what is behind it?

The procedure for a flight is always quite similar: Shortly before take-off or landing, the flight attendants walk down the aisle and check whether everything is ok with the passengers.

In addition to checking that the seat belt is closed, this also includes the correct position of the seat (upright) and the table (folded up) as well as the cover of the windows.

It always has to be open during these two flight maneuvers, but why?

The shutters on airplane windows are always open during take-off and landing.

On the one hand, this is a must for security reasons.

On the other hand, these maneuvers are also fascinating for young and old and are often observed from the window.

© Westend61/Imago

The window shade must be open during take-off and landing

Most of the rules that you have to follow as a passenger on an airplane have a safety aspect.

This also applies to the windows and their sliding blinds.

For example, in the event of a power failure, daylight should still be able to penetrate the interior.

In an interview with

, aviation expert Heinrich Grossbongart also explained that in an emergency, flight attendants could only get an overview of the situation with the windows open.

Then they decide, for example, on which side of the plane the emergency exit can be opened.

And the rescue workers only have a good view of the aircraft when the shutters are open - important for a precise assessment of the situation.

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The subject of dispute: the open window shade

It's not just children who get emotional when it comes to windows.

Usually, the passenger at the window also has sovereignty over it.

However, the fact that the aperture always has to be open during take-off and landing occasionally causes tense situations on the plane.

This post was shared on the

page @passengershaming:

A gentleman obviously felt so dazzled that he really wanted the window where the man in front was sitting to be blacked out.

The blinding dragged back and forth for minutes until a flight attendant finally came.

The video does not show how the problem was solved.

However, since the plane was approaching for landing, the window was definitely open at the end.

Other situations are bound to annoy flight attendants as well.

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During departure and approach: Light is dimmed

Dimming the lights during take-off and landing also belongs in the category of emergency preparedness and safety.

This is especially important when it is already dark outside.

Because if something goes wrong on departure or arrival at the airport, the most risky moment of a flight, passengers and crew are already used to the appropriate light.

And so that everything can also run as smoothly as possible when leaving the plane, the seats and folding tables should always be returned to their original position when the plane takes off or touches down.