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Why the Lights Dim and Blinds Go Up

2 min read

The short answer

Before take-off and landing, the crew may ask you to open your blind, put your seat upright and stow your table. At night, the lights are dimmed too. These are routine steps on every flight, like wearing a seatbelt in a car. They're not a sign that anything is expected to go wrong.

A Routine on Every Flight

Before take-off and landing, the crew follow the same steps on every single flight. If you don't know why, it can feel worrying. In fact, these are simple, sensible habits — like fastening your seatbelt in a car. You don't do it because you expect trouble.

Why the Lights Dim at Night

Your eyes take several minutes to adjust from bright light to darkness. Dimming the cabin lights lets them adjust in advance to the light outside. That way, everyone can see clearly straight away, inside and out. It's also more comfortable on a night flight.

Why the Blinds Go Up

  • The crew can see outside, so they always know what's happening around the plane.
  • Your eyes stay used to daylight, just like with the dimmed lights at night.
  • Everyone has a view, which many people find calming during take-off and landing.

Seat Upright, Table Stowed, Bags Away

These steps keep the space around you clear. It's easy to stand up and move, and the aisles stay free. An upright seat also supports you best while the plane speeds up and slows down.

Every airliner must show, before it carries passengers, that everyone on board could leave within 90 seconds. It's one of many tests a new plane passes. These small tidy-up steps keep that easy — on a flight where nothing at all is expected to happen.

Not Every Airline Does It

Habits vary between airlines and countries. Some always ask for blinds to be open, others don't mind. Either way, it's a precaution, not a warning.

What It Means When It Happens

When the lights dim and the crew ask you to open your blind, it simply means take-off or landing is coming up. The crew are doing their routine, as they do many times a week. It's a good moment for a few slow breaths. Try the breathing tool.

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