The view from an airplane window. Here's why you should open your window shades during takeoff and landing on an airplane. Per a new report from Paddle Your Own Kanoo, United Airlines has decided that ...

A growing trend towards in-flight darkness has led to a clash between passengers who prefer to keep their window shades open and those who want them closed.

It’s important to keep an open blind. Having the window shade open during takeoff and landing might seem like an unnecessary nuisance. However, there’s an important safety reason for this seemingly ...

Every frequent flyer has encountered the familiar instruction: keep window shades up during takeoff and landing. While it might seem like a minor request, this standard procedure is actually a ...

Air travel is a struggle under the best of circumstances. Legroom seems to shrink with every trip, and the argument about whether it’s rude to recline one’s seat rages on (though some airlines have ...

It’s an airplane command that feels slightly mysterious: keep window shades up during takeoff and landing. While it might seem like an annoying chore for travelers trying to get some rest on an ...

Open windows let passengers and crew quickly see hazards outside and help first responders assess conditions. Bright light also helps passengers’ eyes adjust before deplaning. There are two reasons I ...

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.View full profile James is a ...

Flying has a way of turning small choices into big feelings. A seat selection. An armrest. A snack with a strong smell.