Shade should never be locked. If they are, just ask to have yours unlocked. If FA doesn't unlock them, write into AC, I have always gotten a 20% discount code for this issue, with a J ticket.

Just providing my , relatively, recent experience as others have stated here that their shades had been locked out.

Last long haul 788/789 flight the SD mentioned in response to a question that they always dim the lights/shades as it results in a statistically significant reduction in medical aids during the long haul flights. Apparently Middle Aged and older folks handle longer flights better when they nap.

That's very interesting. And, I guess it explains why I sleep so well on planes :-)

Statistically speaking when someone says something without proof, it's not always true...receipts please!

The windows are usually linked, so (un)dimming one will change all 1/2/3 for your seat.

Similar to what others have said, I can't recall a flight when I've had my windows locked (but I know it can be done so I must have experienced that at some point). I've flown mostly TCON and TATL flights in recent past.

How did they get to a statistically significant result without proper testing? Answer, they didn't. I use "stat sig" on a daily basis and it's often, shall we say, misused, as the end user just needs confirmation that what they want to do anyway is supported by the flimsiest of data.

I got 5,000 bonus points for this once when they locked them, along with a note that I was indeed right and they shouldn’t be locked…

I usually do keep mine dimmed, but if it’s a clear day over Greenland or eastern Canada - no way, I want the view (especially if I can get the moon off the wingtip!)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...111786f46.jpeg

I actually think this is the first time I've experienced this. To be clear, the seatbelt sign was on for final descent.

About 30 seconds after taking this video all the windows "opened" to full brightness.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dv8iNDRwkydUPrqR6

This past Wednesday AC57 i was in 1A, after a beautiful fantasy filled ten hours of sleep I in dimmed my window to allow the morning sunshine to come in and for me to view our beautiful northern landacape. I noticed one other in the cabin were open to allow that morning sunshine in.

5000 bonus points, sweet

I just boarded AC343 and all the windows were locked, it was dark. So I asked one of the f/a if they can be unlocked. She then explained to me how to work my window and i smiled and said they are locked, and she was confused until another f/a acknowledged me and went to unlock them all. So much brighter in here now.

I want 10,000 bonus points now!!

Glad to have found this thread: we're flying on the inaugural summertime ARN-YYZ next week and it reminded me to switch our seats to the right-hand side of the plane. :tu:

Another data point to add to this thread, I was on AC859 LHR-YYZ yesterday, about an hour after take off roughly when we started over the Atlantic, the shades were locked at the darkest setting.
Despite multiple requests to have mine unlocked, the cabin crew wouldn't do so until the "30 minutes to landing" call. At this point it was long past night time and made little difference to the light inside the cabin.

Would be worth writing in to confirm this is standard procedure and voicing your displeasure. I’ve been told previously that on westbound TATL the expectation is that the windows should be available to use. That said, 859 is relatively late for a westbound TATL, so maybe different rules apply. I certainly wouldn’t want to sleep on a flight like this, but I imagine some might… although they could always use an eyeshade…

I did submit a query to customer service regarding this matter and another unrelated issue with the flight.
I received a phone call later the same day apologizing and thanking me for reporting this matter. The agent assured me they would provide feedback to the crew to ensure everyone knows that the windows are not meant to be locked on flights such as this. Particularly that if a customer asks for the shade to be unlocked it should be.
And out of goodwill they sent me an ecoupon towards a future booking. Which I felt was a good resolution for me.