Photo: Darya Komarova / Moment / Getty Images
Whoever sits in the window seat on a plane pretty much reserves the right to raise or lower the window shade as they see fit, but experts advise leaving the shade open during takeoff and landing for safety reasons, and here's why:
- Leaving it open makes it easier for flight attendants to assess any exterior hazards that might interfere with an emergency evacuation.
- It helps passengers “remain oriented” during a sudden emergency.
- Passengers in the exit row need to look out the window first before opening the exit door, to make sure it's actually safe to exit.
- In the event of an emergency on the ground, emergency crews need to be able to view what’s going on inside the plane.
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