Cabin blinds closed on a daylight flight.
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Cabin blinds closed on a daylight flight.
My daughter recently flew Bangkok to Heathrow on a daylight flight leaving Bangkok at about 1330.She was disappointed that the cabin crew insisted on the blinds were kept closed on the early part of the flight whilst overflying Northern India as she had hoped to have a view of the Himalayas.Could anyone tell me why ??
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Singapore do the same when flying Heathrow-Changi or the other way round. Must be something to do with people sleeping when their body clock is out of kilter? I find it annoying too.
Or maybe the CC just want the pax to nod off...
Or maybe the CC just want the pax to nod off...
KING6024,
I greatly sympathise with your daughter's disappointment. For many of us who (nowadays) travel but rarely, the dictatorial attitude of some cabin crews can result in our missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whatever happened to the wonderment of air travel?
Four years ago I was on a routine day flight from London to SFO, leaving about midday - a great opportunity to see the Greenland coast, etc.. Although many pax tend to doze intermittently on a long daytime flight, it's quite inappropriate to simulate night-time when the flight is due to arrive in the late afternoon. In fact, it's a recipe for jet-lag.
I tend to agree with Basil, but naturally one prefers not to be in a minority of one. The trouble is that most cabin window blinds slide open from the bottom upwards, so opening them a slit doesn't normally allow you to peep out. If they were in two sections, you would create a slit at a comfortable level, minimising the light ingress. (In my childhood, a/c usually had curtains! They were much more user-friendly.)
I greatly sympathise with your daughter's disappointment. For many of us who (nowadays) travel but rarely, the dictatorial attitude of some cabin crews can result in our missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whatever happened to the wonderment of air travel?
Four years ago I was on a routine day flight from London to SFO, leaving about midday - a great opportunity to see the Greenland coast, etc.. Although many pax tend to doze intermittently on a long daytime flight, it's quite inappropriate to simulate night-time when the flight is due to arrive in the late afternoon. In fact, it's a recipe for jet-lag.
I tend to agree with Basil, but naturally one prefers not to be in a minority of one. The trouble is that most cabin window blinds slide open from the bottom upwards, so opening them a slit doesn't normally allow you to peep out. If they were in two sections, you would create a slit at a comfortable level, minimising the light ingress. (In my childhood, a/c usually had curtains! They were much more user-friendly.)
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In fact having thought about it I would much rather be zoned out gazing at the world going past than watch a movie. Not much help to those not in the window seats of course.
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Chris
Having flown over Greenland many times, I thought I would take a cruise and see what it was like at ground level.
One of the more interesting things I have done in my lifetime.
Some of those icebergs we gazed down on are HUUUUUUGE.
Having flown over Greenland many times, I thought I would take a cruise and see what it was like at ground level.
One of the more interesting things I have done in my lifetime.
Some of those icebergs we gazed down on are HUUUUUUGE.
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Same thing happened to me on Emirates DXB-PEK last summer. We left DXB at around 4am, landing in PEK at 3pm. It was daylight for most of the flight.
I was at the window, the other two people in my row were pretty much dead from the minute they sat down, yet I was instructed firmly to keep my blind shut. I was very frustrated as, like your daughter, OP, I flew over the Himalayas and very much wanted to see them for the first time. I managed a few peeks, but kept having to close them when the CC walked by. Eventually as the rest of the cabin woke up I was able to open the blind fully again and saw nothing but flat Chinese desert for about 2 hours before landing.
I am flying LHR-SFO in May, I hope this isn't repeated on that flight, I have been TransAtlantic numerous times and never had it happen.
I was at the window, the other two people in my row were pretty much dead from the minute they sat down, yet I was instructed firmly to keep my blind shut. I was very frustrated as, like your daughter, OP, I flew over the Himalayas and very much wanted to see them for the first time. I managed a few peeks, but kept having to close them when the CC walked by. Eventually as the rest of the cabin woke up I was able to open the blind fully again and saw nothing but flat Chinese desert for about 2 hours before landing.
I am flying LHR-SFO in May, I hope this isn't repeated on that flight, I have been TransAtlantic numerous times and never had it happen.
Paxing All Over The World
If you'd like to search for threads on this subject, you will find MANY, MANY of them!
One hint: When by the window, you can always put a blanket over your head, put your sunglasses on and enjoy the view!
One hint: When by the window, you can always put a blanket over your head, put your sunglasses on and enjoy the view!
Last edited by PAXboy; 10th Feb 2014 at 01:33. Reason: typo
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No..no..please no. Not again...
Paxing All Over The World
KING6024 If you check the Forum FAQ - sticky at the top of the page? You'll find the links in there too. It's not your fault that the question gets raised every year - but the FAQ and Search are your first port of call.
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That's what sleep masks are for. Don't bring one? Tough.
Spoiled by flight deck seats, I suppose. Flew over Greenland at night one trip and Capt said I should stand and get a good look out the windshield. Spectacular sight on a clear night with pinpoints of light dotted here and there from FL410. Asked Capt. if he ever felt the urge to take her down for a closer look? Said yup.
Spoiled by flight deck seats, I suppose. Flew over Greenland at night one trip and Capt said I should stand and get a good look out the windshield. Spectacular sight on a clear night with pinpoints of light dotted here and there from FL410. Asked Capt. if he ever felt the urge to take her down for a closer look? Said yup.
If you check the Forum FAQ - sticky at the top of the page? You'll find the links in there too.
"why do I have to keep my blind closed mid-flight?"
with
"why do I have to keep my blind open during takeoff/landing?".
It's the latter that's addressed in the sticky, not the former.
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For hundreds, perhaps thousands of years people dreamed of flying and many died in the attempt, but once achieved it took just a few score years for the wonder to go and the Blinds to be ordered to shut. Sad.
