Is it rude to keep the airplane window shades open?
A debate has emerged regarding airplane etiquette, specifically whether window seat passengers should keep their shades open or closed during flights. While some argue for the view, others prioritize cabin comfort and the prevention of glare for fellow passengers.
Why it matters
This highlights the evolving social norms and unwritten rules of modern air travel in shared public spaces.
Mateusz Wlodarczyk/NurPhoto via Getty Images This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here . The great window-shade debate Airplane question for you: If you're in a window seat, do you keep the shade up or down? We raised this in our morning news meeting a few days ago, and the room erupted into a fierce debate over flying etiquette. This is up there with whether reclining your seat is appropriate, or society's unwritten rules around airplane armrests or taking off your shoes and socks. For some travelers, open shades offer a lot of positives. You can watch the clouds, take a photo, or just feel a little less claustrophobic at 35,000 feet. (I'm shades up, for sure!) For others, leaving the shade open is an act of selfishness.
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