When it comes to whether curtains should be open or closed during a flight, my answer is simple: it’s usually up to the passenger in the window seat.
Unless there is a problem on board or the crew instructs otherwise, the choice is theirs.
If I were in the aisle and someone in the window seat had their curtains drawn during the flight, I would be disappointed, but I would respect their decision.
When I worked as a flight attendant, I usually preferred passengers to open their curtains as well.
Generally speaking, I think it is safer to open the blinds
When the curtains are open, we all get a better view of our surroundings. Liana Coy; Ignatieff/Getty Images
Since becoming a flight attendant four years ago, I prefer to keep the curtains up, especially during takeoff and landing.
It gives passengers and crew more visibility and can improve their situational awareness, which is crucial in the unlikely event of an emergency or evacuation.
Passengers can spot potential problems even before crew members do. For example, if the wing of an airplane is on fire, the person in the window seat may be the first to notice.
Many international airlines actually require curtains to remain open during takeoff and landing, and some U.S. airlines encourage the practice, although the FAA does not mandate it.
It also gave us all the opportunity to enjoy the incredible views
I’ve seen national parks from above and caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights out of an airplane window. Leanne Coy
Less seriously, it makes me a little sad when passengers don’t care about what they see out the window.
Even just a few decades ago, being able to see the world from the sky was a rare experience. Many never get the chance to do so either.
I’ve been on over 800 flights and never tire of admiring the sights and attractions. I got a bird’s eye view of Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Park on my way to Colorado, and a bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon on my way to Las Vegas.
When I land in New England in the fall, I love seeing the vibrant foliage from above. I’ve also seen fireworks in the sky a few times when I’ve been flying on holiday – once, I even saw the Northern Lights from my plane window.
I would have missed all these moments if the curtains were drawn. When I’m a passenger, my sunshade is almost always open.
I also enjoy taking in the view while I work. If there’s a beautiful sunrise or sunset, you might see me sneaking up to a row of empty seats to take a photo.
However, I can admit that – in some cases – it is better to keep the blinds closed
If I sit in a window seat, I open the curtains to enjoy the view. Lyanna Coy
To be fair, as a staff member, sometimes having the curtains lowered is a good thing for passengers. On long flights, I’ve noticed that people seem calmer and fall asleep more easily when the cabin is dark.
Selfishly, it makes my job as a flight attendant easier.
However, I don’t think it’s rude to open the curtains at dawn. Instead, I recommend that passengers wear an eye mask if they are not sitting in a window seat and know they will have difficulty falling asleep during the day.
Ultimately, there is only one common situation where I would ask passengers to close the curtains, and that is when we land in a popular destination and are getting ready to get off the plane.
Direct sunlight can heat up a plane while it’s parked, so closing the blinds can help keep the cabin cool for the next set of passengers.
However, if we were cruising and the cabin was cool and comfortable, I would expect my passengers to keep those shades on.