Why do planes turn off cabin lights during takeoff and landing?

At the beginning and end of a flight or when it is dark outside the cabin lights are usually turned off and passengers are asked to close the window shades.

Cabin lights are turned off during critical phases of flight. Photo: Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Cabin lights are turned off during critical phases of flight. Photo: *Daniel Martínez Garbuno*

Cabin lights go out as the plane taxis down the runway for takeoff, and the process repeats at the end of the journey, signaling an impending landing. The underlying reason behind this process is the safety of passengers and crew, according to Simple Flying .

Cabin lights dim and then turn off for the same reason that cabin crew ask passengers to close the window shades: to ensure safety in the event of an emergency. In such circumstances, good visibility can make a crucial difference to human safety. Opening the window shades also helps passengers navigate in an emergency by making them more aware of their surroundings.

It takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to darkness. Turning off the cabin lights gives passengers and crew more time to adjust to low light conditions. This is essential if the aircraft needs to be evacuated at night. In fact, the time it takes for the human eye to adjust to low light conditions can make the difference in the chance of escape in an emergency.

Another reason to turn off the cabin lights is that the darker the cabin, the more visible the emergency and aisle lights are, which makes everyone on board the plane more prepared for a quick and safe evacuation. According to Colin C. Law, assistant professor of aviation business management at Stamford International University in Thailand, cabin lights are adjusted to suit the outside lighting conditions. For example, when evacuating during takeoff, the cabin lights should not be at their brightest setting to avoid affecting the movement.

Turning off the lights is also often associated with closing the window shades on the plane. During the day, the latter measure ensures that the cabin is flooded with natural light, which increases visibility. Of course, in most cases, emergencies do not arise. Finally, airlines turn off the cabin lights during takeoff and landing to reduce the aircraft's power consumption, optimizing engine performance during critical flight phases.

An Khang (According to Simple Flying )

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