Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades open?!

[CFCHarry]

Every wondered why the lights are always dimmed during take off and landing?

And why do flight attendants insist on having the window blinds up?

Here's the answer:

Why are the lights dimmed on planes during take-off and landing? / Why are the lights dimmed on planes during take-off and landing? / The CEO Magazine

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

I hope the CEO doesn't run any company I have shares in. I only skimmed the article, but this much at least is dead wrong:

"And raising the window shade during take-off and landing also forms part of the same survival strategy employed by probably every airline in the world."



in the USA at least there is no requirement to have window shades up. Often kept down on the ground to help keep the aircraft cool.

 

[CFCHarry]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

There maybe no requirement in the US, but they always do keep the window shades open for take off and landing - requirement or no requirement..?

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

In my experience ( quite a lot) the FAs don't care if the shades are open or closed on takeoff and landing. I assum there is no regulatory requirement. If it's hot while on the ground they will actively go round And close the shades.

Edit: this in the USA

 

[CFCHarry]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

In my experience ( quite a lot) the FAs don't care if the shades are open or closed on takeoff and landing. I assum there is no regulatory requirement. If it's hot while on the ground they will actively go round And close the shades.

And do they leave them down during the actual takeoff? What about dimming the lights?

 

[albatross710]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

That darn safety thing again, agree with the article.

On my November trip to HKG with CX they actively ask that to reduce heat that the shades are put down when the aircraft is parked at the gate.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

And do they leave them down during the actual takeoff? What about dimming the lights?

The first sentence of mine you quoted I think makes my experience wrt the window shades clear. But to be certain: "Yes." As for dimming the lights- I think they do.

Also I think I saw on the "Ask the pilot" thread that having the lights dimmed and pax power sources off is a way to put less stress on the aircraft during take off, at least, or perhaps to be in a better state to respond to some emergency.

 

[CFCHarry]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

The first sentence of mine you quoted I think makes my experience wrt the window shades clear. But to be certain: "Yes." As for dimming the lights- I think they do.

Also I think I saw on the "Ask the pilot" thread that having the lights dimmed and pax power sources off is a way to put less stress on the aircraft during take off, at least, or perhaps to be in a better state to respond to some emergency.

Clever!

 

[albatross710]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

Also I think I saw on the "Ask the pilot" thread that having the lights dimmed and pax power sources off is a way to put less stress on the aircraft during take off, at least, or perhaps to be in a better state to respond to some emergency.

On this top the requirement to remove the USB from the seat back in front. Not so much from the power drain but from the risk of your face ploughing into it into an emergency.

 

[ermen]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

yeah it was always apparently about the safety - getting your eyes adjusted to the outside light conditions.
i have never taken an airline which did not request shares up for take off and landing

shades down when parked at the gate is a separate matter - don't know why people are raising it here in this thread...

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

yeah it was always apparently about the safety - getting your eyes adjusted to the outside light conditions.
i have never taken an airline which did not request shares up for take off and landing

shades down when parked at the gate is a separate matter - don't know why people are raising it here in this thread...

As mentioned upthread, US airlines do not have any requirements for window shades to be up or otherwise for takeoff or landing.

 

[CFCHarry]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

Totally agree

 

[samh004]

Re: Why are the cabin lights DIMMED during take off and landing? And window shades op

Every wondered why the lights are always dimmed during take off and landing?

Do you have any connection to "The CEO Magazine"?