Airplane Window Shade Etiquette: To Open or Not to Open?

Exploring the social dynamics and personal preferences around window shade usage on daytime flights.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The author discusses the common practice of passengers keeping airplane window shades closed, even during daytime flights, and whether it's appropriate to go against the 'peer pressure' and open the shade in your window seat. He shares his own preference for keeping the window open to enjoy the views, and questions whether the desire for darkness by some passengers should override the wishes of those who want to look outside.

Why it matters

This story touches on the unwritten social etiquette and expectations around airplane window shade usage, which can create tension between passengers with different preferences. It highlights how personal choices in a shared public space can impact others, raising questions about individual rights, courtesy, and finding the right balance.

The details

The author is an self-described "aviation geek" who loves looking out the airplane window during flights. However, he often finds himself in the minority, as many passengers choose to keep their window shades closed, even on daytime flights. This can be due to crew requests for darkness, or simply a "peer pressure" effect where people follow what others are doing. The author wonders whether his desire to enjoy the views should take precedence over others' wishes for a dark cabin, especially on shorter flights where sleeping is less necessary.

  • The author recently took a 5-hour daytime flight from Miami to Salt Lake City, departing around 9AM.

The players

Ben Schlappig

The author of the article and founder of the travel blog One Mile at a Time.

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What they’re saying

“As I see it, there are a couple of situations where it's objectively appropriate for the crew to encourage people to close their window shades: If it's a 'redeye' flight despite it being light outside most of the way, like many flights from Asia to the US that depart in the early morning, and then it's only briefly dark, before being light the rest of the way”

— Ben Schlappig, Founder, One Mile at a Time (onemileatatime.com)

“If it's a flight where it's dark outside, but the sunrise will catch people off guard, when they'd otherwise be sleeping”

— Ben Schlappig, Founder, One Mile at a Time (onemileatatime.com)

What’s next

The author does not provide any clear next steps, as this is more of a reflective piece on a common travel etiquette issue without a definitive resolution.

The takeaway

This story highlights the tension between individual preferences and shared social norms on airplanes, where personal choices about something as simple as opening a window shade can impact the experience of fellow passengers. It raises questions about finding the right balance between courtesy and personal freedom in a confined public space.