If the airplane's interior is dark while its exterior is bright and sunny, passengers may struggle to quickly exit the airplane during an emergency. Therefore, airlines require passengers to open their window shades during takeoffs and landings to allow for eyesight adjustment.
“From a safety standpoint, open shades help improve situational awareness,” says a rep from the Flight Safety Foundation. “For example, during an emergency evacuation, flight attendants or passengers need to be able to see outside to determine whether it's safe to open and use an emergency exit.
It's for your own safety. If anything happens during take-off and landing - the most risky stages of every flight - then your eyes will already be used to the dark or the light outside, and you'll be able to react more quickly. That's also the reason why the lights in the cabin are dimmed for take-off and landing.
The flight crew wanted to keep the plane dark.
Airlines will often ask passengers to close window shades during night flights as a favor to those who wish to sleep. Even during the daytime, many fliers enjoy a darkened cabin so they can better see the screens on their laptops, tablets or in-seat monitors.
On the most basic level, the person in the window seat has control over the window shades, and shouldn't need permission from the person in other seats as to how the window shades are kept. The person in the window seat can, within reason, decide if they want the window shade opened or closed during the flight.
Passengers who prefer the aisle seats say it's better because they have easy access to the restrooms, the possibility of a little extra legroom, and they're first to exit the aircraft. Window proponents say a view and a fuselage to sleep against make theirs the superior choice.
This allows for the cabin crew to still be able to hear and shout emergency commands whilst protecting the face and head from any flying debris.
Sometimes flight attendants will wake passengers up so they can eat. According to a post on Travel.stockexchange.com, sometimes flight attendants will ask the other person that they're flying with if they should leave the meal there. That's definitely helpful.
The lights are dimmed in order to reduce electrical load. At takeoff, you want all the power possible in order to shorten the takeoff roll and the more electrical load, the more engine power is sapped off to generate electricity.
Believe it or not, holes in window panes are meant to keep us safe. Known as “bleed holes”, they help regulate air pressure changes as planes climb to cruising altitudes of up to 33,000 feet. At high altitudes, air pressure and oxygen levels reduce.
Why do we have to put our seat backs up for landing and takeoff, especially when it's less than an inch? The FAA requires that seat backs be upright for take off and landing to provide as much room as possible for the people behind you to get to the aisle in the event of an emergency evacuation.
“Basically, [tray tables are] to be up for takeoff and landing so that [they] won't block you from evacuating in the event of an emergency,” former flight attendant Kelly Kincaid told T+L. Takeoff and landing are the most critical phases of a flight.
When the aircraft is not pressurized, either on the ground or if depressurized during the flight (intentionally or due to an accident), then pilots can open them. On most modern aircraft, the opening procedure is the same. The window is unlatched, and it then slides inwards into the cockpit and opens to the side.
The reason why flight attendants tell you to put the armrests down during takeoff and landing is because they can cause serious injury if the plane comes to a sudden halt. This was explained in detail by former cabin crew safety trainer, Sebastien Bouevier.
At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.
Seats in the middle of the cabin had a 39% fatality rate, while the front third had 38% and the rear third 32%. When looking at what seats gave you the best chance of surviving, the middle seats in the plane's rear came out the best with a 28% fatality rate.
15 Minutes Before Takeoff: Single ding.
This is a call from the flight deck (cockpit) to the flight attendants asking them to pick up the phone.
How fit you are. Because their first concern is safety, what flight attendants notice about you has much to do with your ability to keep yourself and others safe. They'll make a mental note of passengers who are in good shape and who can help lift heavy items and lend a hand if necessary.
Tennis balls can put any fancy, expensive gadgets to shame when it comes to alleviating pain, improving circulation, and relieving tightness. And as it turns out, having one of these portable masseuses in your carry-on could prevent blood clots on long flights or road trips.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has long prohibited the use of phones and other devices to connect with cellular networks, because of what it says is the potential for those electronic gadgets to interfere with aircraft navigation and communication systems.