Many passengers have probably wondered why flight attendants insist on keeping window blinds open during take-off and landing, even though they rarely explain why. As a result, various theories have been conjured up to explain this practice.
One popular theory is that airlines are legally required to keep the blinds open so that in the event of a hijacking, police snipers can see inside the plane to take out hijackers. But is this true?
Verdict:
FALSE
There is currently no law in any country that requires airlines to keep window blinds open during take-off or landing. Additionally, the theory about sniper visibility is not practical as it would be difficult for snipers to take action.
The real reason for keeping the blinds open is related to safety concerns. An open window blind allows passengers’ eyes to adjust to outside conditions, ensuring that they are prepared in case of an emergency evacuation.
If an emergency occurs and passengers are told to leave the plane, it is important for their eyes to be adjusted to the lighting outside, preventing any delay in the evacuation process.
In addition, having the blinds up allows the crew and passengers to see what is happening outside the plane, making it easier to identify any issues such as an engine fire and determine which side of the plane is safe to exit.
Another reason for keeping the blinds open is so that rescuers can see what is happening inside the plane, including whether there is smoke or fire in the cabin.
The theory about sniper visibility likely stems from the 1992 hijacking of Air France 8969, during which French counter-terrorism commandos positioned snipers on the roof of the airport to have a view of the cockpit while attempting to rescue passengers from the hijacked plane.
References:
1. https://unitedafa.org/news/2022/3/8/when-seconds-count-a-clear-view-matters-for-safety
2. https://baatraining.com/blog/why-do-window-blinds-have-to-be-open-during-take-off-and-landing/
3. https://news.schiphol.com/why-do-the-window-blinds-have-to-be-open-for-take-off-and-landing/
4. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jet-hijackers-die-as-170-are-freed-1390663.html
