If you've flown on a plane, you may have been reminded to open the window shades during takeoff or landing. This seemingly unimportant routine plays a part in ensuring your safety during an emergency.

Before every flight, you hear that familiar instruction from the crew: “Please raise your window shades for takeoff and landing.” It may seem like a trivial request, especially when all you want is to ...

Flight attendants may require window shades to be up during takeoff and landing for passenger safety. Open windows let passengers and crew quickly see hazards outside and help first responders assess ...

View of planes through an open airplane window. There are two reasons I like to pull my shade down as soon as I settle into my window seat after boarding a plane. For starters, the cabin is usually ...