Who really gets to 'control' the window shade on a plane? Travel expert's 'golden rule'
So, you've booked flights for your next trip and it's now time to choose a seat.
There are two types of people in this situation: firstly, those who insist on the window seat and those who don't.
If you ask the first group, the window seat is one of the best seats on the plane.
You may think choosing puts you in control of the window shade and whether it goes up or down. However, there are certain situations when others get a say.
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By some, the window seat is believed to be the best seat on the plane. iStock
In article for One Mile at a Time, travel expert and frequent flyer Ben Schlappig argues there is a certain etiquette one must follow when sitting in the window seat.
"On the most basic level, the person in the window seat has control over the window shades, and shouldn't need permission from people in other seats as to how the window shades are kept," he wrote.
Despite this, he explained there are limitations, especially being considerate of others.
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Firstly, if the sun is blinding the passenger sitting next to you, there's no reason why you can't lower it.
"Use the golden rule," Schlappig says.
If it's bright, there's no harm in lowering the shade. iStockphoto
"If the person seated next to you asks politely for the window shade to be lowered, and has a legitimate reason, consider compromising."
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Schlapigg also said to avoid arguments.
"Don't get into a confrontation – if someone is rude about you having the window shade open, or rudely demands you close it, don't get into it, and either just agree or ask a crew member to get involved, because we don't need any more in flight disturbances," he says.
It's also important to remember that whenever the plane is taking off and landing, the shades are always up as a safety precaution.
