If you've flown on a plane, you may have been reminded to open the window shades during takeoff or landing. This seemingly unimportant routine plays a part in ensuring your safety during an emergency.

Those orders from flight attendants to open the window shades aren't about getting the mood lighting just right—they actually serve an important purpose Raise them, lower them, raise ’em again. A ...

That quiet moment before landing, when the cabin lights dim and everyone prepares for touchdown, often comes with one small but firm instruction: “Please keep your window shade open.” It sounds like a ...

If you've ever tried to pull down the window shade during takeoff-either to block the glare or to squeeze in a few more minutes of sleep-you may have noticed a flight attendant asking you to raise it ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Flight attendants may require window shades to be up during takeoff and landing for passenger safety. Open windows let passengers ...

View of planes through an open airplane window. There are two reasons I like to pull my shade down as soon as I settle into my window seat after boarding a plane. For starters, the cabin is usually ...