Why airplane window shutters should be lifted during take-off and landing

A Pilot's guide to the passengers

Nothing compares to the thrill and the security of traveling by plane. Many people love to talk about their preferences and fears when it comes to landing and takeoff. Which one gives them more excitement? Which one makes them more nervous until they feel safe again? This is a common conversation topic, but there is another one, more meaningful and helpful, that people should have before they choose this amazing mode of transportation.

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Window shutters should be lifted during take-off and landing

This is a conversation about the shutters on airplane windows and why they should be lifted during take-off and landing. “It’s so you can enjoy the scenery, the rush of seeing the earth get closer or farther,” someone might say, and they would be wrong. The reason why the shutters have to be up when the plane is in motion is not to prevent missing out. The reason why they should stay up is because it could save lives.

What do we mean by that? The explanation has come from the Americans and specifically from the official Authority for Civil Aviation Safety. According to what they have stated, the shutters should be lifted during take-off and landing because the crew should be aware at all times of what exactly is going on outside the plane. If, for instance, there is any trouble and the plane crashes to the ground, with the window shutters lifted it will be much easier for the crew to find the side from which to get out of the aircraft.

Can you picture an accident happening and the crew not having a view of the situation outside the plane? Disaster… Therefore, it is wise not to complain when we want to lower the shutters so as not to be bothered by the light, but the flight attendant asks us to lift them again. They don’t do it for no reason, but to have a better chance of saving us if anything goes wrong. And that’s why we are asked to keep the seats upright: When this happens, they lock, stop and reduce the risk of injury if there is turbulence.