Are you wondering why the flight attendant dims the lights during takeoff and landing? Check.
Flight attendants are the ones who make flying as comfortable as possible. They bring us food, make sure we are not thirsty, etc. The flight attendants follow an unusual protocol that tells them to dim the lights at take off and landing. Why?
Dimming of the lights in the cabin during take-off and landing is exclusive security measure. In the event that we have to leave the plane, our eyes are thus already prepared for darkness. Our eyes need 5 to 10 minutes to adjust to the dark.
If they were previously exposed to strong light. So if passengers and crew need to act quickly in an emergency, their eyes will adjust more quickly to dimmed lights and reduced visibility in the cabin. When the overhead lights are turned off, passengers also have an easier time seeing the emergency exit lights, including those running along the corridors.
Most accidents happen during take-off or landing. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has produced an annual log of commercial aviation incidents and fatalities. By far, takeoff and landing are two of the most dangerous times of an airplane journey.
In fact, 21 % fatal accidents occur during takeoff and initial climb, and 46 % of all fatal accidents occur during final descent and landing. Nevertheless, plane crashes are rare. According to the International Air Transport Association, the risk of death is so low that a person would have to fly every day for 25,214 years to have a 100% chance of having a fatal accident.
Are there other reasons for flight attendants to dim the lights?
If you are flying at night, i.e. it is dark outside, then there is a good chance that the crew will dim the lights. Thus, it will allow people to sleep or nap for part of the year. They will be turned on for passengers to get comfortable and eat a meal and order a drink, and then the lights will turn off. Dimming them also saves energy.
