some airlines require that all windows must be open during takeoff and landing. Some (I’ve seen it in US) require windows to be closed. Why?
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Having the shades open allows flight crews (and passengers) to see any potential hazards outside of the plane. Statistically, takeoff and landing are the most dangerous periods for air travel, so knowing if something went wrong is a boon to the pilots. Additionally, should the aircraft need to be evacuated, crews can easily see if one side is too dangerous before opening the doors.
I’ve never been on a flight that required them _closed_ during takeoff (and I’ve flown quite a bit). They will often ask they be closed when the plane is at the gate, though – this keeps the aircraft cool without expending too much power ahead of takeoff.
Never seen it be mandated that the windows shades are down during takeoff/landing.
It is safer to keep them up – so the first responders can easily see inside the plane if you need to be rescued.
I’ve been on some flights where they ask you to put the windows down. I think this idea is that if there is a crash, your eyes will already be adjusted to the dark when power goes out.
They will sometimes ask for windows to be closed until take off on sunny or hot days. I believe air conditioners are running on an alternator that doesn’t engage until engines are running. So it’s to help keep a comfortable temperature in the cabin until AC can be turned on.
Take off is the most dangerous part of any flight. The aircraft is at its heaviest due to the fuel load, often heavier than it can land (which is why fuel is dumped if a plane is ordered to land right after take off) and it’s going very slow and trying to climb. A mechanical failure at this stage in most cases will be non recoverable, like the loss of an engine or a control surface malfunction or a fire, because the plane is going so slow and it’s so low that there are very few things that can be done. It is therefore crucial that all window blinds are open so that in the event that a weird sound is heard or the pilots have reason to believe there is a malfunction the cabin crew can quickly and easily look at the wings and see if they can see any panel missing, smoke, fire, or a stuck control sufrace or anything that may be a problem. I have never in my life been in a flight that required blinds to be closed.
Here in Arizona, they tell us to close the shades after we land to help keep the plane cooler while it is on the ground. Especially in the summer. But I have never had them tell me to close the shades while we land.
A lot of airlines/countries require windows to be open because:
1. So passengers can notice anything abnormal outside during the most crucial parts of the flight.
2. In the event of an evacuation, the eyes of the passengers should already be somewhat used to the light outside already. This is common during nighttime evacuation—going from a bright cabin to darkness outside takes a while to get used to.
Requiring them closed is rarer. Usually it’s just to keep the cabin cool or relaxing (especially if the sun outside is super bright). In some cases, there may also be rules *requiring* closed windows due to security reasons. For example, some airports in China are right next to military bases, and passengers are required to shut their windows until the plane climbed well into the air.
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