Travelers pick window seats for a reason. They’re after perks like the wall to lean on, the ability to relax without moving for other passengers, and the power to decide what to do with the window shade. Apparently, these rights aren’t as cut-and-dried as we’ve been led to believe. Not everyone agrees that the person in the window seat gets to control the shade, and the argument is spreading from the skies to the internet.
Recently, a video went viral on Twitter for depicting a grown man “battling” with a small child for control of the window shade. The window is in the adult’s aisle while the child is opening it from the row behind him. Although the clip is amusing, it also brings up an important question: who has the right to control the shade?
Who “owns” the window shade?
The window shade affects many passengers on the plane
(ATHVisions via Getty Images)
Earlier this year, a traveler took to Reddit’s AITA community to vent about a mid-air situation. The poster described themselves as an “avid window seat traveler.” They were traveling with their cat on a recent flight when the middle-seat passenger reached across them to close the window without so much as a word or a glance of acknowledgement.
The poster reopened the shade and stated in the forum, “It’s my choice whether to close or open the window. If they wanted to be in control of the window, they should’ve paid for the window seat!”
Most commenters agreed that the person in the window seat is in charge of the shade and made it clear that the other passenger was wrong for reaching across another traveler without permission. Comments included:
“You should lower his tray table without asking and see what he does.”
“I would have looked him in the eyes while reopening.”
But what do the airlines have to say?
Unfortunately, major airlines like United, American, and Delta don’t include window shade policies in their public passenger guidelines. There is something of an exception, though. All airlines state that you must obey instructions from the flight crew. This means that if a flight attendant tells you to pull your shade up or down, they have the final say.
What do flight crews have to say about the window shade?
Landing and takeoff are the riskiest parts of air travel. A Boeing report found that this is when rare events, such as accidents or crashes, are most likely to occur. Rocky Saddy, a pilot for Cirrus Aviation Services, told Travel & Leisure that in these cases, “having natural light helps your eyes adjust more quickly.” The pilot added that this allows emergency responders and flight crews to visually assess the situation. It also allows them to assess the situation outside to determine if it’s safe to evacuate.
For this reason, flight attendants will often ask passengers to leave the window shade open during takeoff and landing.
How should mid-air squabbles be settled?
Although airlines have yet to go on the record about the window shade, the consensus from aviation blogs like One Mile At A Time and View From The Wing is that the passenger next to the window is entitled to control the shade. However, they both agree that certain courtesies should take place.
Both outlets emphasize the importance of consideration for your fellow passengers. For instance, avoid blinding your fellow passengers with bright light, especially during hours when they’re trying to sleep. They are also clear that the flight attendant trumps all. If there is a dispute over the window shade, they make the call.
The bottom line
The passenger sitting next to the window has the right to control the window shade. Reaching across (or behind them) is a breach of etiquette. If the light is interfering with your ability to rest, there’s another reason you’d like them to open or close the shade. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask them to change their position, just be prepared to honor their answer. And remember, if a dispute arises, the flight attendant has the final say.