Passenger window blinds.
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Passenger window blinds.
hi,
I have only travelled on three long haul flights, these being to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. On every occasion passengers we were asked to close the window blinds for most of the flight. This happened on both the night and day flights. Does anybody know why they do is and is this standard practice with all other airlines. To me it was frustating of not being able to see out.
I have only travelled on three long haul flights, these being to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. On every occasion passengers we were asked to close the window blinds for most of the flight. This happened on both the night and day flights. Does anybody know why they do is and is this standard practice with all other airlines. To me it was frustating of not being able to see out.
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Generally IFE screens can be viewed better in dark cabins, it also allows those who wish to sleep to do so - remember not all passengers will be on the same daylight timings as you.
However, if you want to look out of the window that is entirely up to you, you have paid for the ticket, so enjoy the experience. That said, if the light is obviously disturbing those around you, then common courtesy dictates that you shut the blind.
However, if you want to look out of the window that is entirely up to you, you have paid for the ticket, so enjoy the experience. That said, if the light is obviously disturbing those around you, then common courtesy dictates that you shut the blind.
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It's fairly standard practice now. On a daytime flight, it keeps the bright sun out. If your aircraft is for example doing circuits while waiting for a landing slot, the way the sunlight appears to swing around the cabin can upset nervous fliers. And as pointed out it makes the video screens harder to see.
On a night flight I'd guess it just sort of contributes to a calmer cabin environment with fewer reflections and possible distractions.
In any case, I find that given the height that long haul aircraft generally cruise at these days, together with what might be haze or air pollution, it's rarely possible to see very much out of the windows other than at take-off and landings - when all the blinds must be up.
On a night flight I'd guess it just sort of contributes to a calmer cabin environment with fewer reflections and possible distractions.
In any case, I find that given the height that long haul aircraft generally cruise at these days, together with what might be haze or air pollution, it's rarely possible to see very much out of the windows other than at take-off and landings - when all the blinds must be up.
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take-off and landings - when all the blinds must be up.
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OK - I stand corrected. But I've been SLF long haul for many years and CC have frequently said it is a requirement to have blinds open then. I thought it was some sort of IATA safety regulation. But if it's not, it's not....
Me I use aisle seats now - used to like window seats but ease of movement plus the fact that you can't see much from 40,000 ft anyway changed my preference.
Me I use aisle seats now - used to like window seats but ease of movement plus the fact that you can't see much from 40,000 ft anyway changed my preference.
It may or may not be a legal requirement to have the shades up during take-off and landing however it is my understanding that the reason for such requests is that one's eyes are adjusted to the light levels on the outside of the aircraft just in case there is a need to evacuate.
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Window blinds can be up or down for landing or take off but thoes on a door have to be up. Cabin crew may ask passengers that are seated adjacent to an exit to put theirs up also as it is important for the cabin crew to be able to see outside if nessasary. ie if an incident happened.
Some airlines may adopt different procedures to this however.
On a night flight the blinds are put down to stop the sun waking passengers up on a night flight. Because of the time changes sometimes it could be 3am in the morning for thoes sleeping but actually 6am outside where you are flighing over so therefore the sun would be very bright and low and it shines directly into your eyes.
Daytime flights are different and mostly it is left up to the passengers but if the sun is low or very bright it can affect the video screens so maybe this is why Cathay do this.
Some airlines may adopt different procedures to this however.
On a night flight the blinds are put down to stop the sun waking passengers up on a night flight. Because of the time changes sometimes it could be 3am in the morning for thoes sleeping but actually 6am outside where you are flighing over so therefore the sun would be very bright and low and it shines directly into your eyes.
Daytime flights are different and mostly it is left up to the passengers but if the sun is low or very bright it can affect the video screens so maybe this is why Cathay do this.
Paxing All Over The World
Hi gordon2uk and welcome to the cabin. There are a number of points covered in the Forum FAQ at the head of the page. This one may help you.
http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...htime-ldg.html
http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...htime-ldg.html
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BA for instance have no requirement for blinds to be up for take-off and landing with the exception of a couple on either side of the upper doors on the 747.
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I'm pretty sure I've flown BA and they have always insisted on all blinds up
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I've lost count of the amount of times an inconsiderate, ill-mannered oaf has decided to disturb my rest by flooding my row with light. If people want it shut, then leave it shut.
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I've lost count of the amount of times an inconsiderate, ill-mannered oaf has decided to disturb my rest by flooding my row with light. If people want it shut, then leave it shut.
An airliner is a public transport vehicle and disturbance is part of the deal. I use an eye mask and also in ear sound cancelling earphones playing soft music.
I still get disturbed sometimes, but as I can't afford private jet travel ....
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I could quote chapter and verse on this from the relevant manual, but Betty Girl has already covered this in her own words. It is not a BA requirement.
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Irrespective of the rules, I think it's a good idea to have blinds raised for T/O & Ldg. Reason? In a catastrophic situation I want to see what's happening outside.
Not doubting you for a minute, but I have been on BA flights where the FA's have asked people to raise the blinds (away from the exits) for landing.
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Quote. Common Sense Flyer.
This month's Prune Gold Star for the least appropriate user name. 
I've lost count of the amount of times an inconsiderate, ill-mannered oaf has decided to disturb my rest by flooding my row with light. If people want it shut, then leave it shut.
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....and if someone wants to look out of the window, why shouldn't they? What's ill mannered about that?
Yeah, along with the ticket I bought the seat, the side-wall with everything in it, including the blind, and part of the seat back in front of me. I need that to grab onto to lift myself out of my seat. I would never use the armrests for that. I bought a piece of the carpet too and are thinking of taking it home with me.
[/Sarcastic rant]
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So you are saying that the person sitting next to the window has no reasonable basis to keep the blind open and that a person not sitting at the window has a reasonable basis to demand that it is kept shut?
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I've lost count of the amount of times an inconsiderate, ill-mannered oaf has decided to disturb my rest by flooding my row with light. If people want it shut, then leave it shut.