Flight attendants explain reason for common plane act

An Emirates flight attendant, together with other cabin crew, have explained the reason for this plane act during takeoff and landing.

Several flight attendants have answered one of the most common questions they get asked.

In a TikTok that has amassed half a million views, an Emirates flight attendant who goes by the handle ‘Kiravokkrugmira’, answered followers’ burning questions – from why phones have to be set in flight mode, if the captain hears you when you clap after landing, to one of the most popular, why window shades must be open during takeoff and landing.

“Why do cabin crew ask to open window blinds for takeoff and landing?” she said in the clip.

“For safety reasons. It allows us to evaluate outside conditions as fast as possible in case of emergency situations.”

Emirates flight attendant settles common question. Picture: TikTok/kiravokrugmira

The explanation was backed by flight attendants from Netherlands flag carrier KLM.

“Open shades give passengers and crew better situational awareness of the surroundings of the aircraft,” a KLM flight attendant said in a separate YouTube clip.

“It can [also] be helpful in understanding delays and operations.”

A fellow cabin crew member added sunlight pouring through the windows can heat up the cabin.

“But lowering the shades help keep things cool, easing the load on the plane’s airconditioning system,” she explained.

“Controlling the cabin’s natural light with window shades is more than a gesture, it’s a jet lag hack.

“On long flights, shades often close to mimic night time helping passengers to ease into new time zones and stay comfy mid-air.”

Meanwhile, the Emirates flight attendant also shared a “little secret” for passengers who love to clap when a plane has landed.

She explained why the window shade must stay up during takeoff and landing. Picture: TikTok/kiravokrugmira

“Pilot doesn’t hear it, when you clap. However, clapping is a cultural expression of gratitude and appreciation for the flight crew’s safe and comfortable arrival.”

For those who ask why they need to put their phone in flight mode, she explained it disables a phone’s wireless signal.

She also explained why your phone must be switched to flight mode. Picture: TikTok/kiravokrugmira

“It prevents interference with the aircraft’s navigation and communication systems.”

Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, previously told news.com.au, the key reason for switching off phones is so they don’t swamp the available airwaves.

“As your plane ascends, every mobile tower you might connect to gets further away and as a result, your phone tries even harder to get a connection,” Mr Kidman said.

“Multiply that across hundreds of passengers and there’s a chance that essential on-board radio communications won’t work.

“There are other issues too: if loads of people are connected to a tower while in flight, that could affect service on the ground. And there’s a big social challenge in managing hundreds of people on board all trying to make calls while flight attendants are trying to serve meals.”