Passengers and crew members are often required to turn off cabin lights and close window shades at the beginning and end of a flight, or when it is dark outside. This process is done for safety reasons, as the dimmed or turned off lights aid in passengers’ vision adjustment to low light conditions, which is crucial in emergency situations.
When the lights are dimmed or turned off during takeoff and landing, passengers can better adjust to the change in light levels. This adjustment is essential for emergency evacuation scenarios, as it helps ensure that everyone can see clearly and act quickly if needed. Additionally, turning off the cabin lights makes emergency lights and illuminated aisles more visible, allowing passengers to navigate safely through the cabin.
Another reason for turning off cabin lights is to conserve power on the aircraft. By reducing power consumption, the airline can optimize engine performance during critical flight periods. Furthermore, pulling down window shades during daylight hours allows natural light to flood into the cabin, increasing visibility.
In summary, turning off cabin lights and closing window shades is a crucial step in ensuring passenger safety and preparedness during flights. The dimmed or turned off lights help adjust passengers’ vision to low light conditions while also making emergency lighting more visible. Additionally, reducing power consumption improves engine performance during critical flight periods while allowing natural light to increase visibility in daylight hours.