Here’s A Scary Reason Why Airline Crews Dim the Cabin Lights During Takeoff and Landing

When it comes to air travel, safety takes top priority. If certain aspects of the in-flight experience seem odd, there's likely a well-thought-out reason behind them. One of such in-flight procedures that people commonly misunderstand is dimming the lights in the cabin when a plane takes off or lands. And no, it's not done to help you sleep better in the cozy darkness. Read more to find out the surprising and terrifying reason behind this action. And in the bonus section, you'll find the explanation for 2 more common actions done by a cabin crew, which people often misinterpret.

The airplane crew doesn't do it for your coziness.

Dimming the lights during takeoff and landing on night flights might seem like a simple way to help passengers sleep. However, this seemingly minor protocol serves a critical safety purpose.

This practice doesn’t happen on every flight — it’s only done when it’s dark outside. “The lights in the cabin are dimmed at dusk and when it’s dark out, so your eyesight can adjust to make evacuating the aircraft easier,” explains Sue Fogwell, a former United Airlines flight attendant.

When moving from a bright environment to a dark one, it can take our eyes 20 to 30 minutes to fully adjust, allowing for improved vision in low light. In the event of an emergency landing requiring evacuation, having your eyes adapted to darkness can significantly enhance your ability to act quickly. Sue Fogwell explains that adjusted vision makes it easier to "see the floor lights that lead to exits," improving your chances of a safe and swift exit.

Safety is above all, and the crew members take care of it every second.

Similarly, if it’s bright outside, flight attendants will turn the cabin lights on to prevent you from being blinded as you exit the plane. These seemingly minor adjustments are carefully designed to optimize conditions for a safe and efficient evacuation.

So, a dim cabin basically helps your body to launch its survival mechanisms. It allows your eyes to adjust so that they can see not only what’s in the plane but also what’s outside. If the cabin appears too bright, crew and passengers just won't be able to see out of the windows.

These seemingly minor measures can become crucial during an emergency, where crewmembers must evacuate a flight within 90 seconds or less, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Bonus: 2 more tiny requirements are designed to save passengers' lives.

Frequent fliers, you know the drill. As your plane prepares for its final approach, flight attendants walk the aisles to ensure seats are in the upright position — even if you’re sound asleep. But why is this necessary? Technically, it’s the law.

According to part 121 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, "no air carrier may take off or land an airplane unless each passenger seat back is in the upright position."

This seemingly minor task is enshrined in federal law for a clear reason: safety. “In the upright position, the seat is locked and most robust to withstand any force from a potential impact,” explains Hans Mast, a former pilot and current travel agent with Golden Rule Travel. A reclined seat isn’t locked into place, meaning a sudden stop could cause it to lurch forward, potentially catapulting its occupant. Conversely, rapid acceleration could cause the seat to slam backward. “The airplane’s inertia can change the seatback’s angle, which could potentially crush the knees of the passenger sitting behind,” adds Dan Bubb, a former pilot and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

If you’re a fan of the window seat on a plane, you’ve likely encountered the ongoing debate about whether to keep the window shade open or closed during the flight. While that’s a matter to settle with your seatmate, there are two times when the shade should be up: during takeoff and landing. Many airlines mandate that window shades remain open during these critical phases of flight.

"Raising your window shade during takeoff and landing makes it easier for the flight attendants to assess any exterior hazards, like fire or debris, that might interfere with an emergency evacuation," pilot Patrick Smith explained. "It also helps you remain oriented if there’s a sudden impact with rolling or tumbling."

But why during takeoff and landing, specifically? "Window shades should always be up for takeoff and landing because those are the times that incidents or accidents are most likely to occur," Lisa, a former American Airlines flight attendant explained.

And here's yet another lifesaving tip that's related to turning lights on and off. A woman explained why women who live alone must never turn on their lights immediately after they come home, especially at night.