What is the reason behind turning off interior lights on the plane when landing and taking off at night?

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funkysoulfulness

I am cabin crew and the reason that the lights are dimmed for take off and landing is because these are the critical phases of flight and accidents are most likely to occur then.. In the event of having to evacuate, every ones eyes will be accustomed to the outside light...

talkingformydog

Because at those 2 critical moments of the flight the plane should only be seen with its external lights giving heights and direction

cymry3jones

They also open the doors to the pilot cabin. So I suppose it's to increase instrument visibility.

rikdix

If you crash you will want to get out of that plane FAST. Waiting 30Min's for your night vision to gradually kick in is not really an option when in a burning wreck.

So, they simply dim the lights so that your eyes can adjust but they don't tell you why because it may be disturbing to know that you are in a particularly dangerous part of the flight.

Nutty Nikki

And i thought it was just me that wondered why they did that.
Hope someone answers why.

SUPER-GLITCH

I should similar reason to not having a light on in the car, the pilot can see the lights inside the cabin and on the runway better without internal lighting being on, and of course, one is able to see should there be any problems on landing or take off.

Some of the other answers are pretty sick, and NOT funny, especially if one is already scared of flying to start with!
Enjoy your flight.

johnnyhawkyns

They do that so the crew's eyes will be accustomed to the dark if something went wrong and the lights went out. .
If the lights were on and suddenly went off they would see nothing. Also the pilot in the cockpit would see nothing in the dark outside if the lights were on inside

Richard

Take off and landing are the most critical stages of flight. Electrical loads in the airplane are usually grouped into essential and non-essential loads. Essential loads are those that are needed for safe navigation and operation of the airplane, like navigation and communications equipment. Non-essential loads include cabin lights, in-flight entertainment systems, etc. To avoid jeopardizing the safe operation of airplane during the critical stages of flights, non essential loads are usually shut off.

joelpsp

because they dont want to lose power while taking off

Dolphin76

this is one of the most common questions ... answered here several times before.

It is nothing to do with electrics etc it is simply to allow your eyes to familiarise with the dark should there be an emergency and you need to exit the plane .. also allows emergency exit/floor lights to show up better.

superstar

"to scare all the people who hate flying!" Or "so the pilot can see the runway like in a car if the lights are on?" sorry i don't know!

IceTrojan

search4travel is COMPLETELY wrong, as the mirror effect occurs on the side that is brighter.

I encourage you all to report him for posting spam. I have.

brilock1

they are all wrong, its simple. they turn them off to save electricity as if the meter runs out whilst the pilot is landing he will be too busy to put 50p in the meter and he cant then see his instruments!!

search4travelwebsites

Nervous fliers don't read on......

The reason why the cabin lights are turned off / down at night is that if the plane has a crash that the rescue teams are able to see in, at night if you have the lights on in the cabin it them creates a mirror effect so no-one can see in and also the other reason some of the Answerers have raised about your eyes.

Sorry to tell you that but that is the reason.

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