Airplane etiquette is a topic of much debate, but most travel experts agree: when you're seated in the window seat on a plane, you get to decide whether to keep the shade up or down, as long as the flight crew doesn't tell you otherwise. That said, even though the window seat passenger controls the shade, there are still some important things to consider. Sometimes, it's recommended to have the shade up for practical reasons, while other times it's suggested you lower the shade to be polite. Either way, if you find yourself in the window seat, it's not always easy to know which choice is best. Before your next plane trip, take a look at these helpful tips for when you should keep the window shade up or down. Let's get to the point!
Shade or no shade?
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Optimal times to have shades open
Many airlines recommend or even require keeping the window shades open during takeoff and landing. This is especially important for windows near the emergency exits. Takeoff and landing are critical times, and the crew needs to be ready to act quickly in an emergency. Keeping the shades open allows them to look outside for any hazards that could prevent a safe evacuation like fire or smoke. It also lets rescue crews on the ground see inside the plane if the cabin is filled with smoke.
There's another benefit for passengers as well. According to the CDC, keeping the window shades open can help reduce motion sickness. Motion sickness is often caused by a mismatch between what your body feels and what your eyes see. If the shade is down, you may not realize you're moving, which can make you feel queasy. Keeping the shade open during the bumpier parts of the flight or during takeoff and landing can help.
Of course, one of the best parts of having a window seat is enjoying the view. As long as the crew isn't instructing otherwise, the window seat passenger should feel free to keep the shades open and take in the beautiful scenery below. Looking down at the terrain can be one of the most enjoyable parts of flying.
Ideal scenarios for keeping shades closed
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Sometimes, the flight crew may ask passengers to lower their window shades, especially during overnight or long flights when people are trying to sleep to beat jet lag, even if it's still light outside. In these cases, it's best to follow the request instead of arguing. Flight attendants are doing their best to make sure everyone is comfortable, so if people are trying to sleep, lowering the shades ensures they aren't disturbed by sunlight when the sun eventually rises.
Even if you don't hear an announcement, it's a good idea to take cues from other passengers. If your shade is the only one open in the entire cabin, the sunlight may be a nuisance for your fellow passengers. So, it might be a good idea to lower your shade and then reopen it when others start to open theirs.
Being mindful of others
When it comes to window shade etiquette, it's a delicate balance between your own preferences and those of the other passengers. You may want to gaze out at the world, while the person next to you is trying to watch a movie but can't because of the glare. As a general rule, you don't need to go out of your way to close the window shade before someone says anything.
However, if someone politely asks you to open or close the window shade, try to find a compromise that works for both of you. Perhaps you can agree to leave the shade half-open or keep it closed for the next 30 minutes so they can finish their movie. At the end of the day, the flight will be better for everyone if you choose to cooperate with your fellow passengers instead of arguing.
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