Why must window shades be kept open during taxi, take-off and landing?

Window shades are required to be kept open during taxi, take-off and landing for the following reasons:

• To allow cabin crew a quicker and clearer view of the developing conditions and/or dangers outside the aircraft during an emergency.

• To allow passengers a clear view of what is happening outside the aircraft:

  • so as to quickly alert the crew members, should they notice an emergency or anything out of the ordinary, (e.g. sparks coming out of the wing area, fuel leaks, fire in the engine, snow build-up on the wings, etc.)

  • so as to have a better awareness of what is happening outside the aircraft during an emergency and be able to better orientate themselves, keeping clear of danger.

  • to allow rescuers, in an emergency, to clearly see the inside of the aircraft cabin so that they can better assess the overall situation.