Why do they dim the cabin lights in aircraft taking off and landing?

Answer 1

I know the answer!!

They switch them off or dim them depending on HOW DARK it is OUTSIDE the aircraft. As during the 'take off or landing roll' you may be required to evacuate. Should you need to evacuate, your eyes have been ajusted to the level of light outside. The purpose is so that if its dark outside, its dark inside and light outside light inside meaning that should you need to evacuate (unlikely and god forbid!) you dont have a blinding effect. ie. stepping out from light into dark which would make your eyes funny.

ALso the reason the window blinds must be up for take off/landing is so that should you need to evacuate the cabin crew can see outside and see if theres fire/smoke/obstructions so that they know whether to block off an exit and redirect you to an exit which doesnt have dangers outside.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

I have looked at the other answers you have and some are correct and some just a guess Here is the very simple answer
The light are in fact dimmed to allow passengers to adjust to the darker conditions inside the cabin area If in fact the aircraft has a problem such as an electrical fault the captain may have to cut off unnecessary power systems Of course as you know take off and landing is the crucial time for any aircraft

Answer 3

It's a safety precaution:
a) so that everyone's eyes are accustomed to the dim or dark conditions that will follow an accident.
b) so that the emergency floor lighting shows up.


It is NOTHING do do with security.
It has nothing to do with not dazzling other aircrews on the ground.
It is not to reduce loading on the aircraft's engines or any other system system.
It is not to scare you. People who say that (even in jest) are remarkably stupid. Airlines DO NOT WANT frightened passengers. They are prone to panic and can be dangerous or upset the rest.

Answer 4

It has nothing to do with full power to the engines...they are separate power systems. It is so the flight attendants can see fire if it breaks out in the cabin and so if there is an emergency (most accidents happen during either take off or landing) the paths are clearly lit. Same reason why you are not allowed an "portable electronic devices" during take off and landing so if there is an emergency you know what is happening.

Answer 5

It's a safety precaution:
a) so that everyone's eyes are accustomed to the dim or dark conditions that may follow a pile up.
b) so that the emergency floor lighting shows up.
c) so that any unwanted (i.e. any) flame shows up.

It is not a security thing.
It has nothing to do with not dazzling other aircrews on the ground.
It is not to reduce loading on the aircraft's hydraulics or systems.

Answer 6

Beats the hell out of me. Why do they have to make sure all the window shades are open for take off and landing either? It's not like the pilot is looking out the cabin windows to see where he's going. I think it's just a power trip thing to show passengers "who's in charge". I'll bet they laugh about it all the time at the bar when the crew lands.

Answer 7

Safety. Lights and air conditioning ultimately uses the power of the engines. On takeoff and landing they are temporarily switched off to give the engines its full power. Window shades up? So that if the plane crashes, rescuers can look inside the plane from the windows and see if there are remaining passengers.

Answer 8

the reason is fairly simple when a aircraft takes off it takes off on full power it is a safety precaution to make sure it has all the power it needs

Answer 9

they dim the lights to conserve the power of the engines also if there is a shock its more likely to mess with the control system

Answer 10

Apparently according to my air hostess friend... it is aviation policy. Something to do with accident prevention. More accidents occure on take of and landing that they made this a policy....