Is the standard now for window shades to be closed on all flights at all times?
Mar 22, 2024, 8:05 am
#181
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On a recent flight with an European airline, an US passenger at a window seat was not happy about open shades requirement during takeoff and landing, mind you she already had eye and face masks covering her entire face. She went on an expletives filled rant about how she needed to sleep after a redeye. She got into it with her seatmates and one of the flight attendants, but quickly retreated after FA and fellow pax educated her. Love the no nonsense from our European friends.
Mar 22, 2024, 9:20 am
#182
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Mar 23, 2024, 8:40 pm
#183
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Last week, window seat in Y, approaching SCL, AFTER night fall. I had the shade open, looking at the lights below. I got up to place something in my carryon. My seatmate not only closed the shade, he slammed it closed. If I could speak Spanish, I would have asked him why (nicely).
Mar 24, 2024, 5:30 am
#184
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Last week, window seat in Y, approaching SCL, AFTER night fall. I had the shade open, looking at the lights below. I got up to place something in my carryon. My seatmate not only closed the shade, he slammed it closed. If I could speak Spanish, I would have asked him why (nicely).
Last edited by Heyden; Mar 24, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Mar 24, 2024, 8:28 am
#185
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I finally realized I do have an issue with keeping the shades down at landing - I was so glad my seatmate finally opened them at the last second yesterday on a daytime turbulent US flight. The feeling of not knowing when touchdown is going to occur is quite nerve-wracking even though I'm not generally a nervous flyer.
Mar 24, 2024, 6:33 pm
#186
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Mar 24, 2024, 6:37 pm
#187
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I finally realized I do have an issue with keeping the shades down at landing - I was so glad my seatmate finally opened them at the last second yesterday on a daytime turbulent US flight. The feeling of not knowing when touchdown is going to occur is quite nerve-wracking even though I'm not generally a nervous flyer.
Mar 24, 2024, 6:51 pm
#188
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IMO, nighttime landings are the best time for having a window shade open, as you can see landmarks, there is no glare, etc. IMO, it shouldn't be controversial. However plenty of people still apparently prefer shades down in these scenarios. I fly into LGA a lot and always enjoy the landing views. It seems like about half of the cabin still keeps shades down on approach here. I guess this begs the question - if you are in an aisle (or middle) seat, would you request your window seat mate to raise the window shade in these situations?
Mar 24, 2024, 7:00 pm
#189
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I believe that, as this is both an IATA recommendation and part of the official script for many airlines, it’s coming close to something which becomes a legal requirement. In other words, keeping them closed when officially instructed to open them by an FA who is following formal airline instructions would be very unwise.
Mar 24, 2024, 7:21 pm
#190
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Probably not. I can live with the shade up or down. Conversely, were I in the window seat I would politely decline a request to lower the shade from a passenger in the middle or aisle seat once the plane starts to descend.
Mar 27, 2024, 12:03 pm
#193
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IMO, nighttime landings are the best time for having a window shade open, as you can see landmarks, there is no glare, etc. IMO, it shouldn't be controversial. However plenty of people still apparently prefer shades down in these scenarios. I fly into LGA a lot and always enjoy the landing views. It seems like about half of the cabin still keeps shades down on approach here. I guess this begs the question - if you are in an aisle (or middle) seat, would you request your window seat mate to raise the window shade in these situations?
Thankfully my last nighttime flight into LGA was in an A seat on an Embraer 175 so I was able to control my window shade and enjoy an absolutely incredible view of Manhattan while on approach to runway 4.
Mar 27, 2024, 2:50 pm
#194
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I think it is extremely reasonable to expect that and in a lot of Asian and middle eastern airlines they ask you to raise the shades when they start descending.