Dimming of Cabin Lights

[AlanSinfield]

A friend of mine recently asked me why the interior lights of an airliner are dimmed at take-off. It is a question that had once
occurred to me as well, but I forgot to follow it up.

So, can anyone tell me why the lights are dimmed in this way

Many thanks,

[Busta Level]

The lights are dimmed so that if there is an emergency evacuation at night, your eyes will be more accustomed to the dark, enabling you to get out of and away from the aircraft more quickly/safely.

Hope that helps!

Busta <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Hermie]

Hi,

I was on a night flight on board Quantas. The lights were switched on to its maximum. It was extremely BRIGHT in the cabin.

Hmm, maybe they forgot to switch off the lights.

THANKS

Cheers,
Herman <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[PAXboy]

This question has been asked a couple of times in recent months, both in the SLF and Cabin Crew forums, as I recall and the archives might have some answers.

Airlines usually claim that the dimming of cabin lights is CAA policy. However, we got one carrier saying that they specifically dimmed and another saying that they did not!

There was also different instructions for Oz and UK. I have heard both of the reasons already given. To help PAX eyes adjust to dark and to make the nav lights more easily visible.

[Hollow Blade]

They dim them in case the airplane has to be evacuated at night. It´s better to have 200(x2) dark adapted eyes than everybody not knowing where to go.
If the lights are off, they´ll pay more attention to the Fasten Seatbelts OFF lights, they´ll follow the evacuation floor light path better, they´ll see the EXIT sign better, and it will prevent any ass**le from trying to grab his carry on from the bin where he has the money.
If you have 200 pax on board, chances ara you´ll have quite a few of this kinda guys/girls.

Hope this helps.

HB.

[CaptAirProx]

As an ex Cabin boy for Monarch et al, I can vouch for the above statement. That is exactly correct. Also if the cabin is bright when the pax get to the exit to jump on the slide they will see nothing but a black hole and baulk b4 they jump. Slows the whole thing down.