Why Window Blinds Must Be Open During Takeoff & Landing
"As we prepare for landing, please make sure your seat is upright, your tray table is up and your window blind is open."
If you've traveled on a plane before, this is a line you've probably heard.
And while you may get a great view of the city you're flying into, the reason you have to keep your window blinds up during takeoff and landing is for safety.
According to a post by Amsterdam's Schiphol international airport, having the blinds open helps our eyes to get used to the natural light outside the plane, whether it's really bright or really dark.
This is important during takeoff and landing, because they are the riskiest parts of a flight.
In 2020, Anthony Brickhouse of the US National Transportation Safety Board told Business Insider this is because, being so close to the ground, pilots have less time to react if something happens.
Reaction time is important for passengers, too. If your eyes are already used to the dark or light outside, you'll be quicker to react in an emergency, the Amsterdam airport post said. And it's important to have your tray table up so nothing will block you if you have to quickly leave your seat.
Keeping the window blinds open also helps the airplane staff see what's happening outside. In an emergency, for example, being able to see outside could help the staff quickly decide which side of the plane is best to disembark from.
However, according to Business Insider, you're much more likely to die while eating a nice meal than in a plane crash — and if an accident does happen, passengers have a 96% chance of surviving.
