Window shades should stay open for the entire flight, amirite?

Pick a window seat and the control is all yours.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I think that it was Jim Jeffries who said, "One gets an arm rest and a wall, one gets two armrests, one gets an armrest and some extra legroom; we aren't animals!"

by Anonymous 1 day ago

That was such a good episode. "Get to the back of the plane!" "Not like that!"

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Sure, but don't think about letting your elbows slip into my space on the aisle!

by Anonymous 1 day ago

No it isn't. Last flight I was on the flight attendant reached over and pulled it down. And if you don't pull it down everyone around you asks you to. So you're shamed into doing it.

by cormiernelle 1 day ago

I've literally never had this problem. You're free to just say you want to look out the window and keep it open.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I'm okay saying no to people who did not book the window seat. Try it out. The flight attendant reached over 3 people while y'all were awake? Damn they must have had long arms.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

That sounds like you had a miserable flight. Not a peep on my last one about it. But I did feel like I flashbanged everyone when I opened mine.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I've had this problem as well whenever i'm on "night flights". My only problem is it's NOT a night flight. If we land at 8pm that's a day flight, who cares what time it is in your origin city.

by Winter-Dragonfly 1 day ago

On longer flights they try to match everyone to the destination sleep schedule to help with jet lag. It's pretty much a rule that if the cabin lights are dimmed and it's bright out, windows stay down.

by caroleleuschke 1 day ago

'pretty much a rule' so not a rule

by Due_Temperature_6369 1 day ago

Not always. Signapore Air makes everyone close their shades at some point. My best guess is international flights some people need sleep and one open shade creates a lot of light.

by RaccoonBeautiful9583 1 day ago

Unless you're on the sunny side and it's blinding light.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

The sun blinding can be horrible, like the magnifying glass on an ant effect. Then it's just cruel to the other passengers.

by Unique_Cut_5578 1 day ago

this is fine if its your window seat.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Is it actually? I'm always an aisle person and have no beef with somebody keeping the window open the entire flight but if it's like a flight where folks are trying to sleep and all the lights are turned off, I could see a lot of other people getting disgruntled if one window is open due to the passenger wanting to see a miniaturized version of earth that wasn't possible to see until 90 years ago?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

In those cases it's typically dark out so it's still not a big deal. Dawn and dusk are your only real potential conflict points.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

i totally agree. i think that falls more into common decency as well.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I agree:) For me personally, I would just feel too embarrassed to open the window shade if all the other ones are closed and the lights are off.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Ive not been on a flight where they turn the light off during the day. Only after dark.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

For sure, I think this happened when I was on an long haul flight where due to time difference they darkened the cabin to match the sleeping time of the destination even though outside it was light?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I've never had that be the case on a flight where it was still light enough out that the shades were even necessary.

by OkLingonberry4112 1 day ago

I've seen it a hundred times and I'd like to sleep through an uncomfortable and boring experience. Who has the ethical right? The person who has never been in a plane before or the person who wants to get through yet another boring cramped flight? I'm tall, but I ask for the window seat if possible so I have control of the window.

by Tiny-Equivalent 1 day ago

I get overnight flights having closed windows. Or over the ocean. If its cloudy then there isn't much to see, close them also at that point. But one of my favorite things to do on a flight is get a window seat and just watch below. Of course in the west coast we have pretty interesting terrain to look at. I totally get those who want to sleep on a plane. But that is what eye cover is for!

by Anonymous 1 day ago

See I'm the opposite, I want those shades closed during the day but couldn't care less at night. I hate the sun slamming into my eyes (my eyes are big babies and really really hurt in the sunlight lol)

by Anonymous 1 day ago

See, peeps. THIS is a TRUE unpopular opinion. Also, absolutely not. I've flown way too much, and most times, I have meetings right off the plane. Let me sleep....

by RelationshipAdept 1 day ago

Sleeping on a plane. Bring noise cancelling headphones, a neck pillow, and eye cover. That solves the problem.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Bring a sleep mask... It's not your bedroom, it's a bus in the sky.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Window seat costs extra. They've paid for shade control.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

In this world, window seats definitely cost extra

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I've just finished booking several different flights for a big trip I'm making later this month. Four airlines- United, SWISS, British Airways, and Jet Blue. Not a single one cost me extra for window seats unless they had extra room. Also, my window shade will be down across the Atlantic I hope you and OP can deal with that.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I take the aisle seat and don't need to stare at clouds.

by Dapper-Assumption505 1 day ago

Bring an eye mask if you need it dark 🤷‍♀️

by hallejacobson 1 day ago

I do. The light still gets through. Tell me you don't fly much, without telling me you don't fly much.

by Individual-Fennel 1 day ago

You can see the clouds below you and the endless sky. It's awe inspiring to this day and I've flown hundreds of times. It's also fun to watch the wings and see how they deflect in the wind, how the captain is controlling/what is being controlled, etc. I weep for those that don't find amazement in the miracle of flight. Wear an eye mask, we want to enjoy life.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

you're just blasting yourself with UVA radiation. take a peek every now and again and then close your shade

by Anonymous 1 day ago

They actually don't. Keeping the shade open at night is obviously no problem. People want to sleep and you're stuck on the flight for however many hours--the least you can do is be courteous.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I love window seats for exactly this reason. But people are different. Some might have a fear of heights and not want to have a panic attack. If I have the window seat, you better believe I'm keeping it open, but I don't get mad if the person next to me wants to keep theirs closed, just a bit disappointed.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Sure, but for an overnight flight over the Indian or Pacific Ocean... there isn't much to look at

by runolfsdottirda 1 day ago

I'd rather be able to sleep... Especially overnight flights

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I purposely picked the window seat so I can have control over the shade. I'm there to sleep, not to look at a bunch of nothing.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Yea except when the sun is at the wrong angle then it just cooks you and you can't see much anyway

by Anonymous 1 day ago

You go on ahead and stay awake and continually stare out of the window on the 12 hour flight I'm taking soon overnight. I'll be getting sleep with the window closed. Thanks.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

The first manned balloon flight was in 1783, so well beyond 90 years ago.

by ChartImmediate1201 1 day ago

Totally agree - I love looking down at the "just clouds" tbh. I also get kinda claustrophobic and nauseous when just trapped in the plane with no way to look out 😬

by hallejacobson 1 day ago

I can get motion sickness without the window open. They don't consider that. If it's a night flight I get it, plus they need closed because of glare, but it's daytime, then what on earth. I always hated when my sleep time hours were set by other people.

by Shanna03 1 day ago

Pay for a window seat then. I fly a lot. It's cool, but I have other stuff to do besides stare outside for the 500th time.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

That doesn't work anymore. If you're in the window seat, everyone around you, and flight attendants will repeatedly ask you to shut it. I like having the daylight by me; it's not about looking out the window. When everyone has the shades down, it's like flying in a tomb.

by cormiernelle 1 day ago

Bro you just need to put on your headphones and do what you want.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Tbh I'm not sure how people aren't glued to the view out their window the entire time (except over the ocean, I guess). I get a kink in my neck every time I fly.

by Cyruscollier 1 day ago

Maybe on shorter flights but on longer 9hr or more? Nah, need them closed to sleep. It also keeps the cabin cooler.

by Katrine44 1 day ago

The novelty of looking out over clouds/water for 10 hours gets old fast, let me have my nap in peace

by Ritakulas 1 day ago

This is in face unpopular. I agree, which is why I chose the seat at the front

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Book a window seat and you'd generally have control. Just not on long haul flights, though the flight attendants would probably ask you to put them down as people would want to sleep.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

For me it depends on what we're flying over. If it will be scenic, sure! But if it's farmland then nah

by jermaine56 1 day ago

I almost always have the window open for my flights... I try to pick a side that will be opposite the sun for the flight so I don't have to worry about blinding my neighbors.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Buy your own window seat. I'm trying to rest here.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Unpopular in my opinion the person sitting by the window should have the right to do whatever they want with the window shades forcing them to keep them open when they want them to be closed is not great

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Take a Boeing 787, there's no shades, only electrical dimming. And take it on a hot day in the tropics, with barely any aircon. Enjoy the heat bruh

by Damionroob 1 day ago

Book a window seat.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Then why have shades at all?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I love to keep the window open so I can gaze out and enjoy the view, but if it's too bright, I slightly close it for most of the time - especially if my family is sleeping. but I do open it a few times just to get a glimpse of what we're flying over

by SeaAlternative 1 day ago

I don't love it being open, but I get your argument. I'll live if you wanna look out the window.

by Strict-Statement-617 1 day ago

Its not just oceans and clouds. There is a big ball of fire up there that can shine directly through every window at entire rows of people in the early and latter parts of the day. I don't care how smitten someone is at 35,000 ft. That window is affecting other people and that one person being amazed isn't more important than the annoyance of multiple others. Especially when there is no way to leave.

by NoFill 1 day ago

I agree 100%. Got on a flight leaving at 8:30 in the morning and everyone pulls the shades down! It was horrible. Felt like I was flying in a tomb. I also hate how they dim the lights in the cabin. Makes it difficult to see when you're going to the bathroom. The number of times I've stumbled or sat in the wrong seat afterwards... For m it's not about looking out the window. It's about having some light next to me.

by cormiernelle 1 day ago

I don't think I've ever seen anything worth looking at from 35000 feet. Except flying by a storm. That's pretty cool

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Pick a window seat and the control is all yours. I want to sleep, or minimize the glare on my screen if I'm trying to watch a movie.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

No it's not in your control. Everyone around you asks you to shut it. I had a flight attendant lean across and close mine.

by cormiernelle 1 day ago

The only time I've heard a flight attendant ask to close a the blinds is when it's super bright out and the sun is preventing people from sleeping or the glare makes it impossible to see their screens. And to my recollection this is only on longer flights. I guess in this scenario you're technically forced to do the polite thing, but I would be happy to do it anyways because me seeing an endless see of white clouds is not worth inconveniencing a bunch of other passengers. For domestic flights I've never heard anyone tell you what to do with your blinds. And if a fellow passenger asks, you are free to say ‘I like looking out the window'. Again, I'll normally comply because once you're in cruising altitude there's usually not much to see, but I've seen people say they want to keep it open and (unless it's obnoxiously bright out) they're allowed to keep them open So yes, I guess I'll amend my statement to "The control is all yours within reason while sharing a public space with other people and being considerate of others"

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Take off & landing are always the best view. Once the seatbelt sign comes on, I think it's polite to ask your seatmates if they want to peek out or snap a few pictures, especially if it's a kid. Most the time you don't even need to ask because you can read people's body language to gauge their interest. Above a certain altitude, however, it's just endless nothingness. If staring at blue for five hours is your dream view, then by all means, book the window seat, but if that's my seat then I'm closing the shade so I can nap or see my screen better.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Damn, in case I run into someone like you, I'll make sure I pack an eye mask onto my carry-on backpack in the future

by Schoencoty 1 day ago

I always pick window and those shades are closed the second I am given the go ahead.

by Express_Historian414 1 day ago

Due to the low placement of the window belt on most airplanes, the person immediately next to the window is typically not getting blinding light in their face as they gaze downward or forward through the shoulder-level window. The folks across the aisle from the open shade are usually the ones getting the brunt of it in their faces, and it can be quite uncomfortable. I feel like the "always open" folks show a certain level of naivety and lack of empathy for those around them. If you're the only one with your shade open, or if the sun is at a low angle, your "exclusive control" of the shade just shows that you don't really think or care about others around you. It puts you in the same category as passengers who are loud or don't respect others' space.

by gordonschumm 1 day ago

Get your own window seat Ppl are usually also trying to sleep There are also a lot of ppl who are afraid of heights

by Necessary-Duty 1 day ago

meh. its nothing special. closes it

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Hard no. They have "lights out" for a reason. Plus once you're above the clouds it's pretty pointless

by Anonymous 1 day ago