The other day we was just about to take off, and l had my sun blind down because the sun was shining right in my eyes and was VERY BRIGHT, but the air hostess said it had to open for safety reasons!!! does any one know why???

l do not fly alot, but l have never heard of this. It might be incase it shatters due to the change in pressure.

In the unlikely event of a crash during take off or landing, they want the windows open so there is enough light that people can see to exit the plane safely.

So that the emergency services can see inside, if there was an accident

in the event of an accident
the emergency services can see in to see if there are any survivors
also to let light in to aid any escape

l wonder the same, was about to ask post same question ages ago. Anyway thanks to you.

l guess, according to , it might be for emergency cases. l agree.

Very simple reason. If the plane needs to be evacuated, and all the blinds were closed, peoples eyes would be accustomed to the dark environment of the plane. When they get outside, they will be momentarily blinded. So the blinds must be open so that ones eyes are accustomed to the ambient outside light as much as possible. You will notice the crew always switch off any bright cabin lighting for the same reason during take off or landing.

l spent 13 years driving flight attendants and pilots between their hotels and the airport.

The reason that the blinds have to be up is that it allows the cabin crew to see outside the aircraft for any problems. You may not notice them doing it but they do look out of the windows as they move through the cabin. They fly so much that anything out of the ordinary stands out and they can notify the captain.

l saw this question a few days ago and remembered that as part of the landing announcement in years past. l just completed a flight with United, Continental and Cathay and noticed it is no longer mentioned. When l asked the crew they said it is only for the exit seats, In the event of an emergency landing the person at those seats should see the exterior condition before opening the exit. If there is fire do not open.

Most people have started to avoid this question because it is been asked so many times.
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The window shades r requested to be open for take-off & landing for safety purposes. Should there be an emergency that requires passenger evacuation of the aircraft, an open shade will make it easier for the people on board to assess the outside conditions & allow for vision equalization of the ambient lighting. Some airlines only require the shades to be open in the emergency exit rows, others request that all be open for take-off/landing.
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