Flight attendant debunks myth around why plane blinds must be up for take off

Getting on a plane to go on holiday is exciting, but can also be exhausting.

Plenty of us try to get some sleep during the journey with a neck pillow and the plane’s blinds firmly shoved down.

The plastic blinds stop the sunlight from glaring through the plastic windows.

READ MORE: Flight attendant explains why tray tables and seats must be up when landing

But unfortunately, if you’re trying to fall asleep before take-off you’ll quickly be asked by the flight attendants to ensure the blinds are fully retracted so you can see outside. The same goes for landing when the blinds also have to be up.

Several reasons why this rule is in place have circulated online for years. Some say it’s to keep the cabin pressure steady using the tiny hole in the windows.

But, it turns out this is a myth and the reason for the blinds being down is very different.

A flight attendant recently busted the myth on TikTok and revealed the real reason you need to keep the blinds up.

Cabin crew member Brodie Capron, @brodie.capron, flies for Virgin Australia and has bagged over 101,000 likes for her videos about life in the skies. When asked why flight attendants insist on the window blinds being up she had the answer.

Brodie explained: "Because you can see the engines and we can’t so you’ve got to let us know if something happens."

Basically, you should keep an eye out of the window at take off and landing. In their flight seats the crew can’t see the engines which sit below the wings.

So, if you see fire, sparks or anything else going obviously wrong out of the window you can shout to them and let them know. That way you’re all more likely to stay safe when going on holiday.

In the comments, one person argued with her. He said: "Pretty sure the window shades up is for your eyes to adjust to outside light should you need to exit the aircraft in an emergency."

To which Brodie replied: "Light adjustment is done with the lighting in the cabin. The open window shades are incase of emergency, there is vision in and out of the plane."

Another person asked why the tray tables also need to be up on take off and landing. It seems this is also a safety requirement.

Brodie commented: "If there is an emergency and everyone needs to be evacuated, there can’t be things in the way that will slow people down."

Brodie isn't the only flight attendant to explain the secrets of plane cabins. Over on Reddit, one cabin crew member explained that the staff can actually access the bathroom even if you've locked it from the inside.

One steward commented: "Lavatory doors can be opened from the outside by lifting the metal plate saying ‘lavatory’ and pulling the pin under it."

So, if you’re up to no good – like smoking or joining the Mile High Club – the workers can stop you! It’s also handy if the crew believes you’ve taken ill inside the loo.

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