Window Shades UP or DOWN?

[Cruiser Elite]

Clearly this topic requires a dedicated thread.

Personally it's always DOWN - and ASAP. I had cataracts on my eyes as a child and had 2 separate operations to remove them in 1961 and 1962 - whilst these operations were performed by the finest specialist in Australia at the time the procedure then was very primitive compared to todays procedures. When the cataracts were removed they also removed the natural filter from the eye (technical terms not my strong suit) and hence I am extremely susceptible to bright lights. So for me - landing gear up - shades down.

Most of my flying is done on SQ - SQ policy is quite clear - shades down wherever possible - BUT - window seat occupant has dibs on shade position - if pax wants shades UP - they stay up on their window/s - quite often as soon as seat belt sign OFF I jump out of seat and pull down ALL shades in F cabin that are not adjacent to a fellow pax - makes my own personal situation much more pleasant.

For viewing IFE and for drinking / snoozing / flat out sleeping my overwhelming preferences is DOWN. I have no desire to sit in window seats ever - always middle and rear of cabin for me so least light sideways / forward is my preference.

Do other AFFers have a view on shades UP or DOWN?

 

[yohy?!]

Depends on the time of day and whether or not one wants to watch IFE or enjoy the view.

For me I like to have the shades open until cruise and after first meal service on a day flight then draw them.

 

[Mattg]

Honestly, if I'm sitting at the window, then I'm going to want to be able to see out of it. I would only ever put it down if the sun was directly in my eyes, or at the request of another passenger/FA.

At least on the 787s you can have it both ways, with the window blocking out light while still being able to see out.

 

[Ansett]

As per Yohy shades up till after meals then down to make it easier to watch the IFE and to help relax a little more.

Not fussed if it is a day or night flight makes no difference to me.

 

[TonyHancock]

Down. I like to watch my own IFE and snooze as much as I can on flights.

 

[smeacs]

I try to fly at night if I can. But otherwise up and down as much as I want to look out.

Of course if i'm not in a window seat it often helps my IFE if your shade is down.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Down, down, down
(Three times for effect )

 

[SeatBackForward]

If its dark outside, why can't it be up?

In fact if its light outside, why can't it be up also? I like the idea of being able to see the landscape outside if its visible. But I can see a valid point if its good for adjusting to the arrival timezone.

The 14hr West to East flights that depart of an evening are always interesting because you get the full cycle.

 

[kermatu]

As per the view I have expressed on another thread - my preference is up unless it is obviously disturbing other passengers (direct sunlight - or a personal request for a medical reason such as CE's). If it is at crew request so they can have an easy time by everyone falling asleep - up it goes.

I think if you have the window you have discretion. Other pax can adjust screen brightness or use eye shades to sleep.

 

[aaronm]

I think it should be at the discretion of the pax in the window seat. I remember flying HEL-SIN on Finnair a few years back, in Y, full flight and my seat's entertainment was not working. FA still made me draw down the shade, twice!

 

[eric2011]

Unless the sun is in my eyes or shinning directly on me (heat) it is up when departing or arriving and when over land (ie when there is something to look at). When at cruise altitude or over the sea I will close them. I don't watch IFE so I don't need dark, and I will only sleep when its dark outside, not dark in the cabin.

Nothing better than to sit back, have a couple of quite ales and stare blankly out at nothing at all. That is my relaxation.

 

[Shamrock55]

When I was younger I used to always ask for window seat and have them up, now travelling for business long haul i always go for Aisle so I can getup to strech and stand without issue, but it seemd anytime I did get window seat we flew above cloud for most of the flight so it became pointless!

The tints on the 787 and big windows make for amazing viewing, I spent a lot of the last trip staring at South Australia and the Tasman, lovely experience.

 

[albatross710]

I prefer down, as the light contrast across the cabin is too annoying. My eyes can adjust too all up or all down but once in flight I prefer everyone to be down, there is nothing to be seen out there.

It's really annoying when 'everyone' has them down, all except one infrequent traveller...grrrr


Alby

 

[marki]

That infrequent Traveller Grrrr maybe someone that on a long haul flight is trying to adjust to a European time zone. I know that part of the flight is in the dark anyhow but there are some who ASAP i.e. Stepping on the aircraft adjust to the destination time zone so as to begin acclimatisation to the new time zone immediately not on arrival. Frequently all will be asleep but that one person awake. Circadian rhythm buster.

 

[eric2011]

but there are some who ASAP i.e. Stepping on the aircraft adjust to the destination time zone so as to begin acclimatisation to the new time zone immediately not on arrival.

I am one of those people. As soon as I get to my seat I will adjust my watch to the destination time and that is what I will eat, sleep and drink too. it works for me but I know some cant seem to do it

 

[opusman]

I far prefer down. My eyes are quite sensitive to bright light too, and I also have floaters which are much more annoying in bright sunlight.

Plus there's usually nothing to look at anyway besides clouds and/or ocean.

 

[samh004]

I'll usually pick my seat based on time of day and direction of travel so I can lower the shade in the morning or keep it up in the evening to watch the sunset. Middle of the day there's not a lot you can do.

 

[Jousams]

Between dinner/supper and breakfast on long haul flights, shades should be down (common etiquette) outside of this time, it doesn't really matter.

This seems to be the SQ J & F approach.

 

[drron]

If I am at the window it is usually up.And the evidence for that milords is here-

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[cory]

Depends, but there is no way that you would want your window shade up if for example you're flying over NZ's south island or the great barrier reef.